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BY 
MARY McDERMOTT SANTLEY 



Every man who has a Christian ideal of life 
finds, as it grows with his experience, that he 
is driven in upon his own soul more and more 
imperatively. Secret resources become more 
and more necessary to him. Conceptions of 
truth grow up within him which the soul must 
develop alone. . . . Such men must meet 
Christ in the solitary places. They have no 
adequate resources elsewhere. 

Austin Phelps. 



CLEVELAND, OHIO 

HORACE CARR 

1919 



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Copyrighted, 1920 

BY 

[ary McDermott Santley 



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©CI.A5665-10 



With loving consideration 

the author presents this book to one 

who ever radiates good feeling and scatters bits 

of quaint humor which fall quietly and refreshingly 

like petals of old-fashioned flowers— 

to her sister Kate— 

Mrs. William Dounton, Jr. 

of Philadelphia 



Contentt 



Prefatory Note 

On Wings of Joy to Thee 

The Ship of Blessing 

Poesy 

Indices 

Beauty 

At Close of Day 

Gracious and Wondrous Ways 

Infinitude of Love . 

Our Home 

The Father's Bread 

Mount of Thought . 

Not by Bread Atone 

Roses 

The Message 

The Sea 

The Siren Sea . 

Dreaming and Blossoming Sea 

The Little Ocean Eagle 

The Welcome . 

Overcoming 

His Great Book of Honor 

With Him is Home 

Crown Jewels . 

The Mystery of the Snow 

Enthroning the Day 

Worship 

El-i-she-ba 

Love 

The Secret Place 

Light 



PAGE 
11 

15 
17 
18 
19 
20 
22 
23 
23 
24 
24 
25 
26 
26 
27 
28 
30 
32 
34 
35 
36 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
46 



6 ON WINGS OF JOY 

PAGE 

Lincoln 47 

Glad are the Harps 48 

I Have Redeemed Thee 49 

Gratitude 50 

Morning 50 

At the Old Homestead 50 

I'm Dreaming To-night 51 

Mother's Garden 52 

Father's Sunset Dream 54 

To Marie 55 

Jennie 56 

For Kate ... - 57 

The Haven 58 

Lilacs 60 

Little Wildflower 61 

Springtime 62 

White Violets 63 

June 64 

The Zenith of the Year 65 

Vesper 66 

Memory 67 

Marigolds and Pansies 69 

Shining, they Sing 69 

The Lady of the Beeches 70 

Ho, for the Forest 72 

Clara Louise Schneider 73 

To Mrs. Van Derweel 73 

Autumn 74 

Morning-Glories 75 

The Bells of Cruces 77 

Three Vagabonds— We 79 

Frances Willard 83 

My Rose 84 

Palms 86 

Mary Evelyn 87 

An Elect Lady . 89 

In Memoriam 90 



AND OTHER POEMS 7 

PAGE 

Song of the Old Guard 91 

In the Presence of Niagara 92 

Deliverance and Thanksgiving ..... 94 

The Victor's Voice 95 

The Bow of Peace 96 

Olive's Garden 97 

At Olive's Foot 98 

Easter Morning 99 

Easter Anthem 100 

The Lilies 100 

Set Free 101 

The Little Blue Violet 101 

Easter 102 

Thoughts of Easter-Dawn 102 

Ascension Day ........ 103 

His Brightness ........ 104 

The Precious Paths 105 

To J. Semon . . 106 

The Violet 107 

February 22, 1904 108 

1912 109 

To the Master of Wind Hill, 1915 .... 110 

February, 1918 Ill 

1919 112 

The Soaring Years 113 

Merry Christmas 114 

Morning Prayer— Christmas Day .... 116 

Familiar— Dear 117 

Christmas 118 

1916 124 

1917 124 

1918 125 

Acknowledging Him 126 

Nanette 128 

Symbols 139 

Immediate Perception 141 



#n icings of fop 



How dull it is to pause, to make an end, 
To rust unburnished, not to shine in use ! 
As tho' to breathe were life. 

There lies the port : the vessel pufifs her sail : 
There gloom the dark broad seas. 

The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks; 

The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep 

Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends, 

'Tis not too late to seek a newer world. 

Push off, and sitting well in order smite 

The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds 

To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths 

Of all the western stars, until I die. 

strong in will 
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. 

From Tennyson's Ulysses. 



^Brcf atorr 0ott 

In my early girlhood's home — at Whitby, Canada 
West, now Ontario — the family was trained to frown 
upon the frivolous, and to show appreciation by follow- 
ing that which had sterling worth and was expressed 
by serious words and actions. 

The only work of fiction admitted to that early home 
was Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 
which with its heart-cry for Justice and Freedom had 
opened the door. In the evening, with the family 
seated around the ample table, Father read the book 
aloud; the intent listeners being at times moved to 
tears. 

In my sixteenth year I had nine months of admirable 
drill in Milton's poems — especial attention being given 
to Paradise Lost, the Mask of Comus, the Sonnets and 
Odes, then followed a studious reading of Thomson's 
Seasons, Young's Night Thoughts and Cowper's Task; 
this done, what wonder the trivial had no allurements. 

I loved poetry and by and by came face to face with 
Shakespeare's understanding of world-wide human 
nature; and increasingly to marvel at his scintillating 
genius. But Tennyson, the Poet of Vision, holds my 
affections. I love to be in the regions where he lived 
"continually and consciously in the presence of immor- 
tal thoughts and convictions." I love to feel at home in 
his pastures rich in flowers of thought, and to catch the 
echoes from his organ-rhythms and follow the longings 



12 ON WINGS OF JOY 

to search with him for vistas into the empyrean fields. 
His companionship is enriching to the soul. 

In college, Astronomy fostered my natural taste for 
the sublime, and kindled a longing for illuminated 
thought and ability to push out into wider areas of 
space; while Botany made my heart glad with a love 
for beautiful Nature; and proved to be the vestibule 
through which I entered the temples of the forest, 
wherein I was to feel an all-pervasive Creative Pres- 
ence. In these beautiful aisles I encountered the 
armies of lofty Beeches — Glorious Beeches ! each one a 
picturesque poem. 

The Bible has been my great reservoir of Wisdom; 
my most regal comfort the realization of the presence 
of the Christ — the sweet and mellow radiance of Light 
that has made of my paths delightsome ways; the 
Light that has brought visions of the ever-presence of 
the tender, almighty Father, and hence the riches of a 
surety of peace. 

Through the years my convictions and heart-ap- 
provals have found expression in verse — a simple over- 
flow from the springs in my heart — which now is em- 
bodied in the volume "On Wings of Joy," and I come 
to say : Dear Little Book, go on your way, in the 
modest paths of life, and I pray that you may be a quiet 
joy to any plain, honest people who like you because 
they love sound principles coupled with sweetness of 
spirit and put into active service in the field of motives. 

Mary McDermott Santley. 



#n5^inggoffop 



<0n Win^^ of S^op to ^Jjee 

The forests tower high and breathe a spirit-psalm, 
And glorious clouds adorn the vast blue sea of calm. 
Most rev'rently I praise all that surroundeth me, 
And lift my thought, dear Lord, on wings of joy to 

Thee. 
No vagrant thought I heed ; all from the heights I view 
Merging from fields of search the laws of Wisdom, 

true. 

How precious all Thy gifts ! The warbling song of bird 
Amidst the palms or cypress tops in praises heard ; 
And far on Alpine heights, and where wild surges 

break, 
Glad songsters on high wing Thy gracious blessings 

take. 
Thou madest heart of man by Thine own power divine. 
With yearnings true, to chord in unison with Thine. 

How comforting Thy care, abundant joy for all ! 
Each humblest child is known, and Love his name doth 
call! 



16 ON WINGS OF JOY 

The moss and grasses green clothe all the rugged way, 
White violets fragrant bloom, and stately lilies sway. 
And flashing waterfalls sing of refreshing grace; 
Almost each little one may see Thee face to face. 

E'en in the desert waste, o'erarched with glist'ning 
white. 

Thy servant lifteth unto Thee a song of light — 

Light shadowed by Thine own most precious Presence- 
cloud ; 

At evening, in his tent, he praiseth Thee aloud ; 

Lips taste Thy cups of dew, and slumber's feet draw 
near; 

While holy trust and night, ail-silently, appear. 

O wonderful. Thy plan that all should know the Lord! 
Each lowly heart be thrilled by Thy indwelling Word ; 
The kindling eye be beautiful, from inward grace ; 
The light of Love a glory, shining o'er the face. 
In helpful ministry the feet run swift and glad. 
And gracious hands may bring sweet comforts to the 

sad; 
And I may bring Thee Roses — fragrant of Victory — 
Bring my sweet gift, and come on wings of joy to 
Thee ! 



AND OTHER POEMS 



€fie ^\^ip of ^It^^inq 

O ship, that glidest o'er the sea ! 

The far blue sea of time, 
In calm, through storm, thou movest on 

To ev'ry shore and clime. 

Dark falleth, but thou heedest not; 

To thee there is no night. 
From waters' floor to turret high. 

Thou sailest, filled with Light. 

Thy thousand windows smile serene, 

And balmy twilight air, 
From out the vast eternal sky 

Speeds thee with promise fair. 

Thou glorious ship ! thou bearest Joy, 
The precious flower of Light ; 

Broadcast thou spillest radiant blooms; 
O heart, there is no night ! 



18 ON WINGS OF JOY 

Poesy, thou compelling art! 
In putting forth the truth a moving power, 

Fetching the intellect and heart: 
Grim philosophy is like winsome flower. 

Attended by sweet-brier and box. 

Rare music blossoms from thy root; 
List ! the far hymning of an organ prayer ! 

And on the moor the shepherd's flute! 
O Poesy! thou gracious songstress fair, 

Thy hymns divine are harmony ! 

Immortal Goddess ! Violet-crowned, 
And rare unfading laurel on thy brow. 

More often than elsewhere, is found! 
Thou underliest vital friendship's vow; 

Art wine of precious constancy ; 
Art rev'rent breath of inspiration, now. 

From corridors of Wisdom sent! 



AND OTHER POEMS 

Nov. 5, 1848- Dec. 19, 1883 

Our loves are indices. 
I had a sister ; her soul was beautiful 
Like the valley lilies 

She viratered tenderly, and loved and wore. 
Her thought was sterling worth 
Expressed in animated loveliness ; 
Her service regal grace ; 
Nor took she note of it as sacrifice, 
E'en in lowliest office. 

More precious than all lilies the two babes 
Placed within the arms of her soHcitude. 
Inextricably her fingers clung to them ; 
And so her clinging thought was. 
About her heart-strings love entwined them 
'Till night came forward in silent .sandals 
And the summons-angel touched the harp ; 
And chords forgot to vibrate, fingers to hold. 

How she loved them ! 
Sterling worth and tender grace. 
The lilies and her little ones. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

2B>eautp 

Dear Lord, Thy world is beautiful 
'Tis pure and wide and sweet, 

Its hills are fine, its meads are fair ; 
Here strength and beauty meet. 

One morn I watched the dawning come 

Soft stepping out of night; 
A quiet ripple on the Sound, 

Touched here and there with light. 

The mountain's majesty sublime. 
Wrapped in a cloud of mist ; 

The vapor veiled the tow'ring head ; 
By it the feet were kist. 

And then the gray awoke with joy. 
The mists were crimson-red; 

The Bay a sheet of crimson lay; 
The mists and it were wed ; 

The texture, in its warp and woof, 

Ethereal, remote; 
A sound of breath, a touch, a stir, 

Naught would be there to note. 

A daring lark now burst in song 
And winged its skyward way ; 

The crimson 'bashed forgot its hue 
And morn was azure-gray. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

I climbed the mount in very joy, 

The sound lay far below, 
A moving web of humming birds 

In iridescent glow. 

I stood upon the crest's high floor, 
Lo, breath of song stood still. 

A bed of violets was spread 
Near crags upon that hill. 

A mass of royal beauty, pearled 

With shining tears of dew, 
Smiled up to me their wealth of thoughts 

Dear violets in blue. 

In rev'rent thought, I stood, dear Lord, 
Touched with their preciousness ; 

Of all that lavish morning's wealth 
These chiefest were to bless. 

A high and far-receding sky ; 

A mighty peak alone ; 
From awesomeness the place took on 

The tender warmth of home. 

Nothing, in all Thy nature-world, 
Such nearness seems to have. 

Such modesty, such sweetness, grace. 
Such wealth of precious love. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

Their hearts, their faces, touch our own 

In innocent appeal. 
And that their gift to bless, with ours. 

Comes from one Source, we feel. 

How wide Thy mercies are, dear Lord, 
Thy balanced beauty shows ; 

No spot of earth, else lone or drear, 
But there a violet grows. 



%t Clo^e of 2Dap 

In patrician woods, where violets sweet 

And the bluest beeches grow, 
When summer winds in balmy flight 

Wake lyrics soft and low, 
And the waning light in farthest west, 

Sends back a crimson glow, 
A pulsing kiss for flower and leaf, 

Ere it fade to gray, and go : 

Then sylvan sprites, in purpHng green, 

Their mystic secrets bring. 
And the hallowed hour a fragrance seems. 

While fancy plumes her wing. 
And the ev'ning dreams, in quiet note, 

And tender memories cling : 
Then mellow bells from far-off hills 

With new-born hope a-swing. 



AND OTHER POEMS 



Gracious and wondrous are the ways 

Of Him who layeth the beams of morning, 

Who ascendeth the arc of the heavens 

To the noontide of the sun, 

Who leadeth to the still shores 

Where the sunset maketh its home, 

And uplifteth its banners of purple and gold, 

Ere the world ent'reth its hour of meditation ; 

And all through the silent night-time 

His beautiful chariot goeth. 

From day unto dayspring again 

An All-Power guideth, upholdeth. 

And that All-Power is Love. 



f^nftnituttc of ilotie 

Love faileth not, it radiates 
With Truth in channels wide 

In ev'ry longing human breast 
It waiteth to abide. 

It hath no boundaries of time — 

Eternity its home ; 
Its space no tow'ring walls confine- 

The universe its home ; 

No sweeter heaven can there be 
Than restfulness in Love 

'Tis grace and glory unto each 
All other states above. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

The golden beech and cedar tree, 

The lily and the rose, 
The all-o'erfolding azure dome — 

Each gift Thou dost dispose 
Where it may best reflect Thy thought 

And make of Thy vast universe 
A home without a tear ; 
Truth's changeless law the corner-stone 

And Love the atmosphere. 

Here children walking with the Christ 
Learn, while they serve, to sing, 

And day by day to nobly strive 
For stature like their King. 



Oh, sweet, my Father, is the bread 
Thy children have from Thee ; 

'Tis health, and life, and thought, and love, 
And Truth, and keeps us free. 



AND OTHER POEMS 2 

;^ount of €:f)ougljt 

In the beautiful land of thought I roam, 
And the far away seems the nearest home, 

For the rugged path up the mountain side 
Winds, in its leadings, to visions wide; 

And veils are lifted and all that is fair 

And sweet hushes the soul with message rare. 

And a constant overflowing of thought 

From eternal fountains, refreshing, brought, 
Reveals hills and vales, all forests and streams, 

The rose of dawning and the moonlight's beams. 
The driven storm and the cleansing shower, 

The song of birds in the floral bower; 
All, in radiant life of loveliness 

Divine law and order and light express. 

And I look and startle at what I see ! 

How barren, how blank, all this would be 
Did not God make man to vision His thought, 

Reflect the divine in His work inwrought. 
O marvelous gift from Infinite Mind! 

Understanding vision in man to find. 
On this Mount of thought home is wondrous fair, 

For light and beauty and the Christ are there. 



26 ON IVINGS OF JOY 

The streets were winding and dark and narrow, 
Where her home-nest was tucked away, 

Hidden within the dusky shadow, 
Scarce knowing the sunshine of day ; 

But when e'er she bought her measure of meal, 
Blush roses she added in cluster. 

She passed many years that were winters, 

But summer alone reigned a Queen 
In all the domain of her being. 

Her smile was sweet, and the vivid sheen 
Of the eyes that had looked upon sorrow, 

In jubilant air of victory sang; 

The joy in them flashed and fairly rang; 
For the Word — His Presence — was with her. 



Roses, my roses — 
And 'tis all my heart can sing, 

For are not you just — Roses! 
And no dear delightsome thing 

One-half your sweets discloses. 

O rare, my Roses ! 
Your chalices o'erflowing 

With bouquet of precious wine 
Pour out a soul-communing 

In accord with heart of mine ; 
Stately poising in your bowers, 

In the cloud of fragrance caught, 
You reign Empresses of flowers, 

Fairest blossoming of thought. 



AND OTHER POEMS 27 

A blossom that grew in my garden, dear, 

I bring to you ere the day closes ; 
'Tis satin and pink to the heart of it, dear, 

This sweetest of all the blush roses, — 
Precious the message unfolded, my dear. 

When its mission to you it discloses. 

The petals were covered last night, my dear, 

With the dew in a jewelled shower; 
Now the purity, fragrance are thine, my dear, 

For a precious but fast-fleeting hour ; 
Lift your eyes to the Steadfast Hills, my dear, 

See, the roses ne'er fade in Love's bower. 

For substance of flower, of joy, my dear, 

Of man — God's child, — and immortal, 
Is the thought supreme of Mind, my dear. 

Out-sent from the morning's portal 
When the worlds were framed, and the stars, my dear, 

Sang that wonderful song immortal. 

God's thought took form in command, my dear. 
And the mandates of Spirit change never — 

All the fragrance and color and form, my dear. 
Sweet, brilliant and true, stand forever ; 

To search for His law is true wisdom, dear, 
For immutable truth faileth never. 




All glorious, and blue and wide, 

In majesty the sea 
Sweeps on and on in mystic tide, 

As to eternity. 
Its voice the grandest organ-swells 

That thunder in the ear ; 
Its wave a mighty Hand propels 

From far, and far, and near. 

O sounding .Sea ! what is the song 

Thou pourest in a roar? 
From deep to deep it plows along 

In furrows to the shore ; 
In all-repeating thrill on thrill 

Thou breakest on the strand ; 
Art thou no moment soothed and still 

At voice of high command ? 

O surging Sea ! wilt thou not say 
In accents to my soul 

28 



AND OTHER POEMS 

By wave, or tint, or tone, or spray, 

Retreat, or onward roll. 
The mighty message that thy deep 

So seems to hug and hold ? 
Must thou thy awesome secret keep 

Forever in the fold 
Of that dark-flowing glorious blue 

In ever-onward roll ? 

O mighty Sea ! there is a Power 

That holdeth even thee. 
Closed in the hollow of His hand 

Or setting gladly free. 
Thy wild and tossing waves it smoothes ; 

Then furrows for His feet, 
Are paths wherein He treads serene ; 

Then saltness is most sweet ; 
Anon, He calms the thund'rous roar 

And lo, thy secret ear. 
To music of His "still small voice," 

Unfolds for thee to hear. 
Then, Sea, this white far-stretching strand 

Lures me to walk awhile. 
Transformed in thought, with shining face- 
Reflection of His smile — 
My heart now knows — is satisfied — 

There is a Power above 
The mighty waves, the thund'rous roar — 

And that All-Power is Love. 



30 ON WINGS OF JOY 

Our cottage we built on the mountain-side, 

Where the heather-bells and the gorse spread wide 

Over long deep furrows down to the sea 

Where the salt spray leaps and the tide sweeps free. 

And sometimes the clouds float far and away 

Ere peace drops down at the close of the day; 

Again the horizon seems drawing near, 

And we know 'twill rain, ere the storms appear. 

From the rise of sun till it went to rest. 
Ourselves and the bairnies worked with a zest, 
And the bristling thistle in purple bloom 
Was plucked by the roots to make garden-room, 
And the fairies danced in the Maytime morn 
'Neath blossoms of cherry and sweet white thorn. 

With bonnie blue ribbon the children dear 
Hung the bell, whose notes tinkled soft and clear, 
'Round Jersey's white throat, and a queen she fed 
On the heather-bells, o'er the hillside spread ; 
And from white sweet clover the honey-bee 
Culled nectar for store in the hollow tree. 

But the days would come when a wild unrest 

Beat in squalls of billows within my breast ; 

For I was born at sea, and loved its wild 

And thundering roar, when a little child ; 

And I'd laugh when drenched with the ocean brine 

When thick were the clouds and no moon could shine. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

A time came when brave hope itself took flight 
And our good barque broke, on that awesome night, 
And the Captain sank to the deep-sea bed ; 
With my mother pressed to his heart they sped 
Down swift through the byways of coral-land, 
While the tide left the wreck high on the sand, 
A sailor-lad with it, who held me fast 
Locked tight in his arms, with a bit of mast. 
Unconscious, in coldness, with sea-brine wet, 
We lay till 'twas found, there was "life there yet." 

But somehow the sea plays a siren's part ; 
Though treacherous cruel, it lures my heart. 
So, when the spell takes me I seek the height 
Of the tow'ring crags ; where 'tranced by the sight 
Of the heaving sea, with its roar and rack. 
The Captain's arms and my mother come back; 
And the crepe-swathed moon, and the sailor lad. 
And the knell they tolled, for all that was glad. 

Still dazed when my Rob ('twas the sailor's name) 
Takes my hand, and says, "Dear f aither, come hame ! 
The stars twinkle and shine, and Jersey's bell 
Sings sweet i' the clover, your welcome to tell, 
And Janet has found a wee birdie's nest — 
Come hame to our mither and a' the rest." 

He tugs at my hand, the sirens let go, 

And the ocean's roar seems distant and low. 



32 ON WINGS OF JOY 

He tugs ! The canny power in one sma' fist 
Makes my heart a softness, my eyes a mist ; 
And darkness creeps down o'er the wild crag's side ; 
Only phantom sails o'er the ocean glide. 

We trample the clover and heather-bloom 
And my sair heart opens to make Him room 
Who comes like my mither and whispers sweet : 
"Thy life is for action ; 'tis not to greet." 



SDreaming anD 2Mo^^oming ^ea 

O beautiful shimmering sea! 

O vast plain, far away stretching 
And losing thyself in the sky ! 

Lambent opal and mystery! 
In a summer hour siesta 

All things in softness unfolded, 
A world of dream-sunshine for me I 

O happy and shimmering sea ! 

Limpid and smiling contentment ! 
Commingling the pink and the green. 

The blue, the warm saffron and white; 
Cresting with silver the wavelets 

In beautiful frillings in crowns, 
In ever-resurging delight. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

And out of the far horizon 
Appeareth and waiteth a ship ; 

It standeth and calleth to me, 
In sails evanescent and white. 

It patiently keepeth its watch, 
Dim, distant, mystery-shrouded, 

In indigo, merging to light. 

The picture awaketh a song; 

Antiphonal melody sweet. 
Beautiful ! beautiful vision ! 

The heavens in purity's robes 
A-dream o'er the fields elysian. 

And ever the sea is flowing 
In blue and in pink and in green ; 

So like unto flowers blowing 
In the mists of the prairies' sheen, 

'Tis Truth in the gleaming garments 

Of beauty, on land and on sea; 
Beauty ennobling the world ; 

Celestial in light, joy-giving, 
Mysterious, on-rolling sea. 

With song all so soothingly purled ! 
Delighting, ennobling; revealing 

Reign of Beauty and Truth as one ; 
O dreaming and blossoming sea ! 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

€f)e %\tt\t (0cean OEagle 

O swift wing'd bird, far up in the blue, 
Whither away ? 

Steady of poise and riding the storm 
The livelong day. 

Come gale and fury and blast anew 
In gray of dawn or noontide blue; 

In seething roar or in thunder boom ; 

The wrathful elements sounding doom, 

When the mountain-surges break in the cloud 

And swathe the earth in a water-shroud; 
Yet, thou dauntless bird on pinions strong 
Away and away thou sailest along, 
High-poised and free, above all the storm 
The livelong day. 

Brave Ocean Eagle of matchless grace, 
Frigate-bird, lord of the winged race, 
Thy great dark pinions wide unfurled, 
O'er-ride all blasts of a stormy world ; 
Thou hast no doubt, but that finest pow'r 
Of him who trusts is thy kingly dow'r, 
And in tranquil strength, each day newborn, 
Thou leavest home at the gates of morn 
And knowest not fear, but soarest high 
Triumphant, free, through the vast blue sky — 
On and away, the livelong day. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

€6e Welcome 

Now God be praised, good captain, 
We're nearing heaven's shore ; 

The heaven of home and country, 
Where the royal seagulls soar. 

High o'er the blue sea sailing, 
O bird, on great white wing, 

Thou comest me to welcome. 
Home tidings glad to bring. 

I stretch my arms up to thee. 
Brave bird from Golden Gate ; 

Thy instinct is God-given 
In path so high and straight. 

Oh, in my far home harbor 
Thou gavest me delight ; 

My one white bird, my lover ; 
All grace in thy high flight. 

Nor flag, nor shore, nor sunshine 
Are so like home, white bird ; 

Thy great wings now curve to me ; 
My prayer, my voice, is heard. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 



#bercomtng 

Fair Margaret, O fair Margaret! 

Of the sand-dunes by the sea, 
In shadow of the tow'ring cliffs 

Held in perplexing r every. 
Lift your eyes to highest summit, 

Sheerest granite though it be. 

You have passed your midnight sorrow. 
And the daybreak comes apace : 

Know that yesterday's red footprints 
The kind sands will soon efface, 

And reflection of all goodness, 
Lasting sunshine, light your face. 

Then climb ; shrink not the rocks tho' sheer, 
Though scarce a niche for climbing feet 

And scarce a twig for grasp of hand; 
On highest top there's rest, oh, sweet ! 

And friends and bloom and cooling shade 
Your coming gladly wait to greet. 

The wide-stretched strides heroic take. 
Faint not ; but palm 'gainst rocky face, 

Cling ! climb and cling, rare Margaret ! 
This last needs not a half the grace 

Your power of sacrifice displayed. 
Yielding to others prestige place, 



yiND OTHER POEMS 

The tender ties, the home, the care, 
All that to heart is sweetest, best, 
The dearest idols did not spare, 
Put by the anguish — sacrificed. 

Hail ! O hail, rare Margaret ! 

Your feet attain the Horeb height 
Unfading mosses kiss them, cool, 

And plain and tree a wondrous light 
Reflect ; a light whose rays inform 

Of joy that knows not sorrow's night. 
Here fields of labor open wide 

The workers throng — a gladsome sight — 
And palms and lilies here abound; 

Refreshing streams course with delight. 

Fair Margaret, O fair Margaret ! 

As on faith's upward soaring wing 
You understood the All of Power 

Good to earth's frailest child to bring 
Sundered were all the ties of flesh 

And you learned how to God to cling. 



38 ON WINGS OF JOY 

^x^ o^reat 23oofe of i^onor 

Home again from the fields, our toiler and friend, 
A welcome most cordial, we haste to extend. 
You're weary in heart, in muscle and brain ; 
Have courage, you'll find over cost there's a gain. 
From the op'ning of morn unto close of the day 
Now prose and now poem contended for sway. 
And blossoms were hidden by rank growing reeds — 
'Tis something that flowers were found 'mongst the 
weeds — 
'Tis endeavor and toil and utmost of soul 
Ere God will make ready the name to enroll 
In his Great Book of Honor. 

All hushed is the hour when dewdrops distil, 
God scatters in silence o'er meadow and hill 
His pearls of rich moisture, each blade to adorn. 
The grass in his season, the green springing corn. 
When in silence you trust He'll come to impart 
In dew- falling-stillness rich joy to your heart. 
Tho' you hear not a word you'll know 'tis His voice, 
His spirit of power your heart to rejoice. 
For endeavor and toil and utmost of soul 
God now in His love your name will enroll 
In His Great Book of Honor. 



AND OTHER POEMS 39 

Wt!) IJim i^ tome 

The sunset rays throw over all 

The peace of parting day, 
The ev'ning shadows softly fall 

And veil earth's cares away. 

The wide world hastens to its rest 

Beneath the eaves of home ; 
One lifts His eyes toward Olivet 

And climbs its slopes alone. 

All day He serves the multitude, 

The Bread of Life bestows: 
That others may go free He toils, 

Their ev'ry need He knows : 

With waning day His yearning heart 

Seeks not its own repose; 
But with His vital urgent load 

To solitude He goes. 

And Olive's shade enfolding Him, 

He spends the night in prayer; 
In Him the Father, He in God; 

His very home is there. 

Our Friend He is ; with Him our home ; 

He is our guiding star ; 
He, very Love, makes royal haste 

The rest-gates to unbar. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

Croton 3Fehjel^ 

Dost thou understand the treasures 

Enfolded in the snow ? 
Its exceeding, precious whiteness 

Points a vital truth to know. 

A beautiful intelligence 

And power and breath of Love 
Pervade the fields of atmosphere, 

From vale to heights above ; 
And lo, whiteness and rare jewels 

Wove in draperies of lace. 
In triumphant color, dazzling — 

Web of purity and grace — 
Lightly clothing all the garden 

Where stand creation's trees, 
The blossoming into whiteness 

Coming silent as rose leaves. 

And in thousand forms and fancies 

The iridescent gems, 
Enwreathed in crowns of snowflakes. 

In chains surmount the stems — 
Nature's coronal of radiance — 

And purity, alone 
In such whiteness and crown jewels. 
May come before God's throne. 



He speaks to sacred Lebanon 
And tallest cedars grow; 



^ND OTHER POEMS 

And again commands a garment 
Of His white and precious snow. 

Can'st forget the snows of Lebanon ? 

Faith ne'er is so remiss — 
For Perfection's type of whiteness 

Is the type God makes of this. 



€l)e ;^pjeftcrp of tfje ^noto 

Hast thou visited the Nations 

The wond'rous scenes to view ? 
Crags and lakes and mountain summits, 

And the works that man can do ? 
Would'st thou delve e'en to earth's center 

For wealth of gems and gold ; 
To the beds of mighty waters 

For pearls of price untold? 
Would'st thou search the starry millions 

Of worlds that roll in space 
With the mighty glass of science 

Their mysteries to trace ? 
Would'st thou scan man's great achievements 

With the shuttle of finance ; 
How the currents and the lightning 

Send swift a magic lance 
To prick the channels of the Universe 

That their blood may flow in gold ? 
Not in all this wealth of marvels 

With all they may unfold 
Is found more mystery of wisdom 

Than is in the snow enrolled. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

In the early morning shadow, 
Looking outward to the sky, 

All is blue and floating purple, 
Noiseless in its passing by. 

Lo, the darkness is divided ! 

Just a ray of bright'ning light 
Glints unformed immensity, 

And the morn salutes the night. 

Light and glory dawning, dawning. 

Purple passing into rose, 
Phantoms pushing on the mystic, 

Form stands out and darkness goes. 

Precious pearl in band translucent 
Cordons space below the blue, 

Plolds in poise for breathless moments: 
BrilHance now of golden hue. 

Diamond flashes wake and kindle 
Earth and sea in one vast gem. 

Fire and rose and blue commingle 
Light and green, in diadem. 

Higher mounts the sun all regal 
And the day is king once more ! 

Light and power and joy are regnant 
From the East to Western shore. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

Our Father, God, unchanging Love, 

We lift our thought to Thee ; 
All grace Thou art — below, above — 

All power and majesty. 
Our hearts beat still, for Thou art near 

And reverently we wait 
In sacred hush Thy voice to hear. 

To praise, with heart elate. 

Triumphant, strong, the song we bring 

When it reflects but Thee, 
When closely to His side we cling 

Who mounted Calvary, 
And left a path transcendent, bright, 

To lead us up to God, 
The way illumed by holy light, 

The path His feet have trod. 

Assurance comes: "Lo, Thine we are!" 

The "still small voice" we hear ; 
No sickness, sorrow, death can mar 

When Love and Power are near. 
As children. Father, glad we come, 

Our trust in Thee complete ; 
Our Peace Thou art ; our restful Home ; 

Our God ; our Paraclete. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

El-i-she-ba, God's worshiper, 
Whose eyes are starlit wells 

Filled from the depths with constancy, 
Blue violets of the dells, 

With depth of tone and faithfulness 
Their look a sweetness tells. 

Thou standest at the gates of night 

Where pass the toilers by ; 
Some have wrought well and happy go ; 

Some halt in step and sigh ; 
Some trail in dust a broken wing — 

A multitude goes by. 

Those needy, willing, contrite, meek, 
Thou touchest with thy song ; 

The glory of God's knowledge — light — 
Thy face reflecteth strong. 

And healing balm flows unawares 
The human line along. 

A tenderness and strength divine 

Enfolds each weary one. 
God owns thy service ; and His grace 

Shines out a very sun, 
In rays of light and warmth and life, 

When His will has been done. 

Thy voice hath notes of sweetest strain, 
Christ's love the melody. 



y4ND OTHER POEMS 



Melting despair to tears that flow 

At touch of sympathy, 
The heaHng touch of perfect Love 

And blind eyes ope and see. 

El-i-she-ba, God's worshiper, 

How beautiful thy feet. 
Faithful o'er thorny, rugged ways, 

And through the meadows sweet ; 
Thy face reflecting radiance, 

Thy song with strength replete. 



Eotic 

Love, the impelling excellence of Grace, 

Of life the enkindling fire, 
Bestowment of balm of tenderness ; 

Love, the chiefest of all desire. 
Filling all immensity of space, 

A binding conserving law ; 
Is all continuity of strength ; 

From Love all good, all might we draw. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

€IJe Secret ^lace 

The secret place of His Presence 

Is effulgent with love and light ; 
Those who dwell in that flame of Life 

Receive gift of illumined sight; 
To them is given the blessedness 

Of the might of Love to know 
All grace and power of tenderness, 

Of light the transcendent glow. 



Dear Father, God, All-Life, All-Love, 

Thy universe is Light ; 
Thy glory is beneath, above; 

With Thee there is no night. 
All wisdom, beauty blend in one — 

A concept wholly Thine. 
Christ Jesus, the immortal Son, 

Stands forth, the Truth divine. 

The brightness of His coming heals, 
So sweet all-power is Light ; 

To sin and blindness it reveals 
The tenderness of Might. 



^ND OTHER POEMS 



Lincoln 



Born are the years : The years are gone ! 

But a pungent fragrance clings 
To all the memories, fold in fold, 

Like that Rosemary brings. 
Rosemary, precious flower and leaf 

From climes that are old and sear. 
Sturdy and rugged, green and stiff. 

With sky-tint blossoms dear. 

The fragrance touches the dormant, 

And ashes to being leap ; 
The brave of living yester-years 

Wakes from his guarded sleep ; 
And he stands in mantle fragrant, 

Of wisdom and of love — 
A sturdy, homely, rugged one. 

But gentle, like the dove. 

Through all the years no other son 

So royal crown has worn 
Brilliant with stars of loving deeds 

As on his brow is borne. 
No malice dark, but charity 

Graven in burnished gold — 
The watchword he proclaimed for men 

Through all the years will hold. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

He stood in the breach for Freedom, 

Stalwart and grave and sad, 
Tho' the smile was ready, waiting 

To change the face to glad. 
Thoughts of his tender justness. 

Compelling, like a prayer, 
The deeds of power and kindness 

Earth's lowly great shall dare. 



<!Blati are tj)e i^arpje^ 

Glad are the harps in the great antiphonal 
Of joy; for the healing and the power. 
The life-baptism in the coming of the Christ ; 
'Tis the glory of the Father coming near ! 
His loving hand dispensing all the light ; 
Omnipotence precluding stress and fear. 

Glad are the harps in the anthem sounding, 
For He knows us ! and calls us by our name 
To His shelter in the cleft of the rock, 
To the bonds of activity in Love, 
Where the Christ is the shepherd of the flock. 



AND OTHER POEMS 



3F ^atie iScDeemeti €jjec 

Yea, Lord, Thou hast made of my days a song; 

Thou hast poured out Thy full cup of blessing ; 
It overfloweth and purleth along. 

Merging to rivers full and refreshing. 
Once-barren places burst into flower; 

Purple heartsease and forget-me-nots — blue 
Like the serene sky after a shower — 

Brighten the tangles along lonely roads. 

And the song of the stars in the night sky ; 

Reverent radiance steady outpouring, 
Diffusing Thy glory, bringeth Thee nigh 

To the longing heart, waiting and list'ning. 

Messiah speaketh : the words are as light. 

Silvery starlight, a radiance precious; 
Spiritual guidance for whatever night; 

Shadows of darkness o'er hills or the soul ; 
And rivers and flowers and stars in the blue 

Of the pathway of life make a glory. 
With bondage an outlaw, life sweet and new, 

Childlike, we cling to the great hand of God. 

Thou hast redeemed ! 'tis song and 'tis sweetness ! 

Swiftly speedeth the foot on glad missions, 
And the voice lifteth up in completeness 

A thanksgiving song, for high-lighted roads. 



ON W/NGS OF JOY 

oBratitutie 

Oh, in this wondrous time, this gracious hour, 
A stately song, a hymn of gratitude 

Ascendeth, for the heahng and the power 
In the touch of the ever-present Truth; 

For the oneness of the Father and the Son 
In the glory that was light ere its symbol 
Or foundations of the earth were begun. 



A band of pearl and opal 

On the azure curtain of sky, 
Mist overhanging the valley 

Softly purple and gray in dye ; 
The hillside a-blush with heather, 

Beneath its mantle of dew, 
And all the quiet places 

With fragrant violets blue. 



at tlje mt} i^omejafteati 

Morning-glories ! with dew on them lying ; 
Early praise-song with the sunrise vying; 
Beauty-kissed, celestial, laughing in light, 
The old gray fence bears you up with delight ! 
Ethereal, white, your tangles entwine 
The arch o'er the gateway in morning's shine ; 
In white "glories," the dew on them lying, 
Loveliest song ! with the sunrise vying. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

S^'m SDreaming €o:?nigl)t 

Of the long ago I'm dreaming to-night 

When our life and joy were one, 
And laughing we danced in the flow'ry mead, 

We roamed 'neath the same bright sun. 

The little brown schoolhouse is standing true. 

Four-square to the world around ; 
The noontide comes and each fair lover-girl 

Seeks her mate with joyous bound. 

And we skip and laugh in our bonnets blue, 

To the cool and bubbling spring, 
Where delicious in tang the peppermint 

Grows round it in magic ring. 

And the ice-cold spring and the biting mint 

Lure the girls the summer long ; 
And each small, pink palm makes a drinking-cup, 

Each tongue sings a burning song. 

And the skies are blue, and the wild rose sweet ; 

Our arms twine each other round ; 
And the mistress wise and the maidens fair 

Weep when "last schoolday" comes round. 

Fades the dream — 

And those dear young days of the long-ago 

Up the steeps of life have wound, 
Though white like snow are the lover-girl's locks, 

Each, mint near a spring has found. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

j^otfter'iBf 45artien 

Our mother loved the garden mould 
In the springtime of the year, 

To dig and plant and sow and trim 
And to sing her hymn of cheer. 

The flowers loved the mother-touch 
And sprang in rapturous glee, 

With all their sweets and colors fine 
Showing forth their loyalty. 

In that fine old-fashioned garden. 

On a sun-slope of the farm, 
She filled the beds of mellow soil 

With the fragrant things that charm. 

And with many that were useful 
In meeting old-fashioned need ; 

Near the southernwood and tansy 
Were planted the larkspur seed ; 

Sweet-william and the four-o'clocks 

And old-fashioned marigold 
And bells of pink and white musk-plant 

In flowers their story told. 

And dear old-fashioned mullein-pink 
'Midst long leaves of pale green down 

Arrayed its wealth of blossoms rare 
In deep-crimson velvet gown. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

Here daffodils and peonies 

And bachelor buttons true, 
Bride-of-the-mist, or mourning widow, 

Each bloomed in its season due. 

And the lilacs and wild roses 
Giving out a breath most sweet 

Waved in grace and bloomed in blushes 
Near the gateway, as was meet. 

A summer-house stood in the midst, 

A bower of rest and shade, 
With honeysuckle round and round. 

And with woodbine overlaid. 

Here glinting, twinkling, humming bird- 
Flower ever on the wing — 

Held one in rapt suspended thought, 
Fairie, wondrous, sentient thing ! 

And roses trailed the cottage eaves, 

Blushing deep to be so high, 
While birds, nested in the branches. 

Flew forth, singing, to the sky. 

All things that grow — and her children — 
Were the mother's loving care 

And 'midst these, pruning, training, 
We would sketch her portrait, fair. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

f atfjer'^ ^un^ct 2Dream 

Ye hills and glens and myrtles dear, 
And golden gorse and cottage home, 
With dawn and sweetness hov'ring near- 
Ye call my heart while far I roam. 

Now, once again, I'm in the dawn. 
Full flushed with rose, and dewy white ; 
Again, the crested birds I hear 
In rarest morn of tender light. 

The lowlands now are all aglow, 
The crags aflame with glory seem, 
And on the wave, as rivers flow, 
The gorse in sunshine patches gleam. 

There is no morn so brightly pure 
As "Dawning" by the Irish sea ; 
No fields of golden gorse endure 
So bright illumed, in memory. 

Out o'er those fields in golden glow. 
So gay with yellow-hammers' song, 
Rise lyric notes, and ever flow 
In melting tenderness along. 

Seas may divide, the mountains rear 
In barrier high, to heaven's blue ; 
No other charms of earth can cheer 
Like those reflected still from you. 



AND OTHER. POEMS 



But, Sarah, precious daughter dear. 
These fairest scenes I soon shall flee ; 
Wing to far emerald fields, be near 
Thy warm and gracious self — with thee. 



Co ilftaric 

January 29, 1880 

I 

From her cheek the roses had stealthily flown 

When Mother breathed, "Darling," in tenderest tone. 
And closely she folded you to her warm heart 
Her precious girl-baby ; Tears unbidden start — 

The world all without was enmantled in snow ; 

Within all suffused with affection's warm glow. 

II 

The days of your childhood have receded far ; 

Stately angels now come the gates to unbar ; 
They swing to the fields where endeavor is free 
And Hope, reigning a Queen, stands beckoning thee. 

The secrets of Wisdom untiring you've sought; 

Her messages still will inspire your thought ; 
A vision of woman, prophetic and clear, 
She shows you erect, bearing strength, grace and 
cheer. 



56 ON WINGS OF JOY 

III 

June 19, 1908 

Now June-time is come on that far golden shore, 
Where the ocean waves lap at the sunset's door, 
And arms of the saffron-rose twine round the palm 
And the white sea-gulls in the summer's calm, 
Charmed to stillness of wing, list the silver horn 
Of retreating angels in the wake of morn — 
They have put in thy arms a beautiful boy — 
As thy mother, thou f oldest to thee thy joy; 
Now, Love's holy blessing rests down upon thee, . 
Blessing warm and abounding like sunset sea. 



3Fennie 

A Voice speaks to my waiting ear to-night, 
For the day has folded its cares away. 
Precious Voice ! at close of this summer day, 

Hymning soft and sweet in the quiet light. 

And, Jennie, the strains are of days long past. 
When your children were rich in Mother-care, 
And the village-folk had their happy share. 

Till your tireless vigils were o'er at last. 

Now the twilight chorus flutes softly : "Well done! 
Loving ways of service thy crown hath won." 



AND OTHER POEMS 



for tate 

May 11, 1913 
I 

O Kate, but the day was kind, dear, 

In that May of the long ago, 
When the joyous budding blossoms 

Of the apple were pink and snow, 
And the angels swung a cradle 

'Neath the flow'ring branches low ; 
And in it a dimpled baby 

The zephyrs rocked to and fro ; 
And you were that one in the blossoms. 

And joy queen of the earth, you know. 

II 

O, the time went swiftly by, Kate, 

And with blossoms of each new day. 
In shade of friendly garden-trees 

You laughed the flying hours away ; 
Till a time came, white with snow-wreaths, 

To grace November's festal day. 
And from Penn's wide wooded valleys 

Came William Dounton, blithe and gay; 
And joyous sang the wedding-bells 

While sunset wore sweet pink and gray. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 
III 

November 25, 1915 
Now, for twoscore years and three, Kate, 

Have come the Springtime and the Fall, 
And snowflakes and the apple-flowers 

In full showers have rained on all ; 
And still, you and yours are kept, dear; 

For both, day dawns in silver light ; 
And your voice speaks words of wisdom 

In rosy phrasing, sweet and bright. 
Still may angels swing your cradle. 

The orchards blossom pink and white. 



€1)0 JJaben 

The windows of my cottage look from a far-seeing 

hill; 
Near by are grass and clovers and a pebble-bottom 

rill; 
In the summertime the bees work, unceasing, in a 

throng. 
And thrushes nearly burst their throats in highest soar- 
ing song. 
There's winding path all bordered by a row of lilacs 

sweet. 
And in sunshine or in cloud-time, my happy eyes to 

greet. 
Are roses with their hundred leaves and Eden-haunted 

scent, 



AND OTHER POEMS 59 

And precious waxen white ones, with a thought of 

heav'n blent, 
And by the porch a beech tree — stem of blue and leaf 

of gold — 
And in its shade blue violets from mother-forest old. 

With Tennyson and Whittier, and graphic Dickens, 

near, 
Along with Milton and with Shakespeare, of that older 

sphere ; 
And high above all other, the recorded precious 

Word, 
The Old and Newest Testament of our all-loving Lord ; 
With a book of noble hymns, 'waking songs of tender 

thought ; 
Rich in a fluent melody, from winged songsters caught ; 
And a sweet and loyal heart beating tender by my 

own — 
We, from all far-off stormy life having safely flown — 
Our hearts are strong, our voices rise in gratitude and 

praise. 
To the Pilot guiding us through the dark or sunny days. 

O, truly graven picture ! on the walls of thought secure; 
In tints so all-indelible their preciousness is sure. 
For friendship's colors, laid in heaven, blend in a purest 

white. 
And fold the heart in radiance of ever-living light. 



I ON WINGS OF JOY 

In far-away Persia, in sun or in snow, 
The beautiful lilacs like well to blow ; 

Lilacs with more of the rose than the blue, 
And in Sheraz gardens the white ones, too. 

In Osaka's temple they wave with grace ; 

Their perfume and bloom make sweet the place. 
From the slopes Caucasian their seeds have flown. 

And in all far nations their blooms are known. 

Oh, precious the clusters of plumes that wave 
In silvery purple, and all climes brave ! 

Their fragrance delicious pervades the spring — 
'Tis essence of love in the censer they swing. 

They are fragrant breath and flutter of grace, 
A blossoming old-fashioned tenderness. 

O heart of friendship, how like they are you ! 
Your sweetness of grace to their sweetness true. 



AND OTHER POEMS 61 

%ittU ^xlnflotDci: 

Ah ! my little rosy cheeks, with thoughtful eyes of blue, 
Where now might you be straying, with bare feet in the 

dew? 
You chubby little maiden, intent upon your way, 
Too serious for laughter, too serious for play. 
She raised her eyes in answer, her eyes of deepest blue. 
And pattered, pattered faster, to where the wild things 

grew. 

The bank beside the streamlet, with face turned to the 

sun. 
All veiled in vines and berries, in green and crimson 

done. 
Was rich in witching tangles and yellow piper's song. 
And there, a little comrade, she chased a happy throng 
Of butterflies in velvet, of bees in gold and brown. 
And watched the fairy airships of dandelion-down. 

Was one with brier-roses and all the wilding things 
Unfolding richest color, or spreading velvet wings. 
Her heart-chords shyly trembled when people gathered 

near ; 
But in wide fields of Nature she never knew a fear ; 
But roamed the forest glades where the beeches 

tower'd high. 
And the wildly blooming flower turned to woman by 

and by. 
And always lovely Canada was dear, from sea to sea, 
Demure and wilding little girl, so very like to me. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 



springtime 

O sweet that thrush's song! 

A transport of deHght. 
O flowers out of crannies crowding 

And laughing in the light ! 

A fragrance fills the air, 

A premonition sweet, 
Of purple vineyards, by and by, 

And poppies in the wheat. 

New birthing swells the heart, 

The living joy o'erflows; 
Thought is prolific — so the earth — 

For this the Springtime shows. 
In kindling purpose to a flame 

That sets the forces free, 
Purged of all hind'ring, weighted dross. 

For fruitage yet to be. 

O, gaily Springtime comes ! 

And all her streamlets flow. 
Bearing nectar from the graces 

As through the groves they go. 



^ND OTHER POEMS 63 

Sweet violets ; white violets, 
Blithely glinting in the shower; 
Modest caroling of beauty 
In the sparkling sunrise hour. 

Precious little maidens, dancing 'neath the trees ; 

The baby faces shaded by parasols of leaves, 

The breath a sweetest fragrance, filling sails of ev'ry 

breeze 
For the capture and the wafting of thought afar and 

high 
To the lovely mother-azure bending from the sky 
In tenderness, o'erf olding the violets in white ; 
Precious maidens in their chrisoms of innocence and 

light. 



ON fVlNGS OF JOY 

3Fune 

Soft-floating zephyrs, and roses, and June, 

And skies of ethereal blue; 
Proud trees in their wealth of chrysoprase leaves 

And gardens in jewels of dew ; 
Enraptured our thought mounts up on a wing 

Swift and free, as the glad birds do. 

Between fields of clover the rivers sing 
And dance on their way to the sea ; 

The strawberry girl, rich in wildwood grace 
Lifts her thought to the glad "To-be ;" 

Her lover's hoe gleams in the springing corn, 
And he's stalwart and good to see. 

'Tis the midmost day, high noon of the year, 
Buds are come to the perfect flow'r; 

Now color and fragrance are King and Queen, 
And are throned in the rose's bow'r. 

Superlative June ! 'Tis our Father's gift, 
Life abundant, a lasting dower. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

€lje Ztniti) of tl^t fear 

'Tis crossing the meadows 
Knee-deep through daisies and fragrant clover, 
Up the rye-crowned hill, and on and over 

To the wooded slope ; 
Delicious the air and the sun is high. 
And music owns the sweet June sky, 

And the birds soar there. 

'Tis the cool ravine, 
With sere leaves' rustle smothered in moss, 
Where the tall trees throw their arms across 

In stately cathedral arch ; 
And the silence sounds touch the inmost ear 
Confidential in tone and softly clear, 

And the heart sings back. 

'Tis the anvil chorus 
Of harmony sounds in poetic dream ; 
And nothing cares, but all things seem 

In Jubilee of growing; 
A blending of humm.ing bird, rose and June ; 
The breath of the day with the light in tune 

To note of one clear bell ; 
All color, all life in soprano tone ; 
The essence divine of all worth known ; 

One clear sweet bell of rejoicing. 



) ON IV/NGS OF JOY 

Beeper 

'Tis Sunday ev'ning, and July; 
The maple leaves are bowing and smiling 

At the zephyr's lightsome caress, 
And waving response to the lisping voice 

Telling its midsummer story. 
The sunlight slowly creeps across the grass — 

The luscious midsummer grass — 
The stately cannas stand in rich blossom; 

Great top bunches of bright crimson ; 
A fitting type of July's life-essence, 

And most kingly crowning of plants 
Erect in green, and shades of purpling brown, 

The whole enfolded in softness. 

In the air is a delicious comfort; 

No cloud-fleck in the field of sky ; 
All a quiet symphony of mystery 

Alluring the inquiring soul 
So surely op'ning thought to majesty 

And the forever on-going 
Of Him who rounded its unending arch 

And filled its dome with a spirit-azure. 

Vesper hour, and the spirit of worship 

Aspirate, in unison with nature; 
The bondage of the flesh all forgotten 

In the embrace of the Divine. 
The summer ev'ning, sweet and fervent prayer. 

Thanksgiving in reposeful dream. 



j4nd other poems 

Of the faculties of mind, I deem 

With which all men are blest 
By the fiat of the Word supreme, 

The Memory the best. 

Her wonderful halls stretch far and wide, 

Through leagues and leagues of years ; 
And through the hushed air we softly glide, 

Forgetting long-shed tears ; 
For a gracious Empress on the throne 

Has sweet and powerful sway, 
And gathers all we have ever known 

To her sunlit halls of day. 

This beautiful Empress, Memory, 

Hath valleys hung with mist ; 
And through the years of eternity 

All sad things shall be kissed 
And hid away in these soothing vales, 

While precious things of life 
Sing over and over sweetest tales 

With tender beauty rife. 

All her glad argosies of treasure, 

From morning's port to West, 
Sailing in stately rhythmic measure. 

Cast anchor at request ; 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

And unfold at hint of longing thought 

Bales gathered through the years ; 
What the eyes had seen and the hope had sought, 

And victory's glad tears. 

This beautiful Empress, Memory, 

From shore to farthest shore 
Of her kingdom, through eternity 

What's pure holds in her store ; 
And no evil can inscribe for men 

One help infallible ; 
Naught spiritual graves its brazen pen, 

'Tis wholly delible. 

Things that are sad shall vanish away 

In quiet vales of mist ; 
Shall recede still farther, day by day, 

Then kindly be dismissed. 
But Memory's leagues of lofty halls 

Gleam ever with the true ; 
The length and height of the wondrous walls 

A radiance of view. 



AND OTHER POEMS 



Marigolds and pansies wet with the dew, 
A formal bed, mid the grasses lying 
In morning shadows, but light is flying 

Swift o'er the dream-world, the day to renew ; 

Blessing and sunshine, dear heart, are so true ; 
Marigolds and pansies do no sighing ; 
Their song is of life, not dirges of dying; 

Their notes gold and purple and silvered with dew. 

Life never slips heart-beat, never knows night ; 

Is Spirit eternal, dwelling in light. 

Marigolds and pansies, velvet and pearled, 

With dew on your lips, ye sing to the world 

Of life in rich beauty ! Oh, living is sweet ! 

My friend is not sleeping here, close by my feet. 



Poised and serene in softest blue, 
High swung above mist and the clouds, 

Shineth a star ; — 
Shimmering luminous silver, 
Unfaltering, precious and true — 

Shineth afar. 

Unfading, eternal and high, 
The substance and center of suns, 
Truth the White star, 



70 . ON WINGS OF JOY 

Out-sending all life-rays and light, 
Fills with glory the earth and the sky, 
The near and the far. 

All stars shine in symphony sweet ; 
In constant reflection of truth, 

Shining they sing. 
All nations and tongues hear their voice. 
Unceasing in consonant speech. 

Tranquilly sing. 



€jje Hatip of tjje ^ttt\^t^ 

There's a forest of royal beeches 
Skirting the slope to the still ravine ; 

Where linger the fairies with dewdrops 
'Till the depths are a glimmering sheen, 

And the moisture plants and the mosses 
Are ever clad in unfading green. 

Sun-kissed is the slope of the hillside, 

The leaves a-shimmer in burnished gold ; 
There's a song by the blithesome cricket 

And lambs wending their way to the fold. 
As day wanes there's a quiet prescience 

Pervading vale, the slope, and the crest, 
And the crimson and rose are fading — 

Blending to purple mist in the West. 



yIND OTHER POEMS 

As the ev'ning shadows fall darker 

And sound the notes in a clearer ring 
Comes a Lady, with song and color, 

Comes in a lightsome crescendo swing, 
Wearing robes of an autumn lilac. 

Her pouch of color with grace to bring. 
And the leaves of the tall young beeches 

Dance in the morning in golden glee, 
For my Lady with magic touches 

Has made of their bolls a symphony — 
Notes of light and scarlet and violet 

And sapphire, blent soft as dove's wings be — 
And the mauve-tinted trunks stand lofty, 

'Midst their branches all plumed in gold, 
Clothed in my Lady's royal velvet, 

Color pure to the deep of each fold; 
And Pan's seven reeds sing her praises, 

In those Pandean shrills, as of old. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

1^0, for tfte forest 

Ho, for the forest and sunshine! 

For the cabin of warmth and joy! 
Embowered in masses of woodbine, 

Where the birds nest — shy and coy — 
For the monarch beeches, gray and old. 

For the spice of the hemlock's breath ; 
The lease of life its arms enfold, — 

So our father's legend saith. 

And Ho ! for the winding pathways. 

The call of the hunter's horn, 
Sounding till setting of sun's rays, 

And heard in the early morn ; 
For nut-trees crowning sunlit hills. 

For garlands of fragrant leaf, 
And softly brilliant pheasant quills 

For crown of the victor-chief. 

Oh ! for the blessed comradeship 

Of the constant, lofty trees, 
For harpsichord in the flower's lip 
Awaked by the wing of bees ; 
For the autumn days with friends a-near. 

When life is in mellow tune, 
And woodland voices sweet and clear 

Chant peace in a rhythmic rune. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

Clara Stoui^e ^c^neiUer 

Our Clara dear, though years roll by, 

Thy voice is with us still ; 
While censers spill sweet fragrance o'er 

The woodland, mead and hill. 
That fragrance bringeth thoughts of thee, 

O swift ! our hearts to thrill. 

Lo ! still thine eyes shine beautiful ; 

Thy feet so swiftly run 
O'er hillsides fair, and mountain peaks, 

All glorious in the sun ! 
To gather all that is divine 

To grace the blossoming 
Of gifts of new portraying power 

In lyrics sweet as Spring. 



€o ;Plr$f. Ban SDerkDeel 

May I bring you one beautiful rose 

In the mom of this glad New Year? 
'Tis a symbol of regal repose, 

And wafteth a message of cheer 
On the wings of the wind, as it blows; 

Its exquisite fragrance, my dear, 
Through the true wedded life always goes. 

With vision prophetic and clear, 
On your threshold I'd lay my sweet rose; 

Come honor or trial or cheer, 
You will meet all v/ith regal repose. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 



Autumn 



Frosty nights and bright days ! The woods and fields 

Are writing symphony in deepest tone. 

The Infinite Mind alone, conceiving 

The staff of light, and bringing the crimson, 

Vermilion and blue, the purple and gold, 

With hint of green, to one blend of richness ; 

Making harmony out of differences ; 

The crucible spilling over, drenching 

Oak forest and the leaves of the beeches ; 

Oaks majestic in red, beeches in gold ; 

While the late violet and fruited wild-rose, 

The dandelion and blue hepatica — 

Most daring voyageurs from the Springtime — 

Are thriving colonies 'neath the great trees. 

And I wander, my own being folded 

In the color, and filled with a fragrance 

Compounded for a stately requiem, 

While wakened thoughts, assembling in anthem, 

Become vibrant part of the organ-rhythm. 



AND OTHER POEMS 



O the hedges and the lanes 

Where the winds and sunshine play! 
Grass and buttercups in Spring 

And the blossoms of the "May," 
And tall and solemn hemlocks 

Making shadow all the day. 

The thistle and the burdock 

Entwined with berry-briar, 
Merry hollyhocks in ranks 

With crimson flow'rs all afire ; 
And orioles and robins 

Making one harmonic choir ! 

Where the barefoot children run, 
All the livelong summer through. 

In tattered slips and jackets, 

Weather-stained, and pink and blue. 

'Tis freedom, song and sunshine. 
Till the summer turns to fall. 

When rip'ning fruit is falling, 
And the pensive curlews call ; 

When the scarlet sage is blooming 
And is heard the wild-goose squall. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

The hedges wear new color 

At the rising of the sun, 
The hollyhocks and thistles, 

E'en the hemlocks, are o'errun 
With morning-glory tendrils. 

And the pageant is begun ! 

Oh! the children rise at daybreak. 
And, their swift feet bathed in dew, 

They skip along the hedges 
All the radiance to view ; 

Nor think to pluck the "glories" 
Ethereal pink and blue; 

Then ceases the soft patter 

Of their brown and willing feet; 
Their eyes are wide with wonder 

And their faces awesome-sweet ; 
Their hearts so touched, with beauty 

That their stillness is complete, 
When morning-glories out of Eden 

And the happy children meet. 



^ND OTHER POEMS 

€6e 2B>eni9f of €ruce$f 

And these are the bells of Cruces ! 

Whose melody of chime 
Is a pathos sweetly touching, 

A glory all sublime ; 
They whisper now regretfully. 

Yet proud of that old time, 
When we left the gates of Panama 

And trod, through wet and sun, 
Our way through lofty, sacred palms 

From morn till day was done ; 
With orchid blossoms in the gloom 

'Twas paradise begun. 
And the soul was thrilled with music 

When the old bells were rung ; 
The old, old bells of Cruces 

Chanting in silver tongue. 

O, how full the joyous pealing, 

In welcome most sincere, 
Though always a pathos linger'd 

In echo low and clear. 
For we knew the bells were watchmen 

O'er all that we held dear. 
With a song like laughing water, 

Dancing and clear and bright, 
When the little rosebud baby 

Open'd its eyes to light ; 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

And, like fields of luscious roses 

An incense in the night, 
When the bride in joyous sweetness 

Stood in her gown of white. 
And the soul was thrilled with music 

When the old bells were rung ; 
The old, old bells of Cruces 

Chanting in silver tongue. 

But the notes were holy music, 

Just when the shadows fall, 
With the sun behind the palm-trees 

Dark creeping over all ; 
And we left the loved one sleeping 

Beneath a fresh-made pall. 
When a bird in tender accents 

Lent cheer to the refrain. 
And the sunset stars were shining 

The sad began to wane ; 
The blending music touched the heart 

Like sweet so ft- falling rain 
Upon a longing, thirsty earth 

Till all was green again. 
There was comfort in the music 

When the old bells were rung ; 
The old, old bells of Cruces 

Chanting in silver tongue. 



y4ND OTHER POEMS 



When the barque sailed down the river, 

Seeking Atlantic's side, 
A blithe and swarthy Spaniard 

Just as the bell-notes died. 
Woke from his lute a harmony 

That floated with the tide ; 
And the waters of the Chagres 

Quietly slipped along, 
While in our hearts was melody 

Of Campan-i-le's song 
Of the Cruces Campan-i-le 

In glad appealing song ; 
For the soul was thrilled with music 

When the old bells were rung ; 
The old, old bells of Cruces 

Chanting in silver tongue. 



Three vagabonds, we, going into the West, 
With brushes and canvas, and colors the best; 
We'll fetch the knee-breeches for riding the wheel, 
Our green hunter's coat and new fishing-reel; 
Our Queen has made ready a flask of good cheer; 
What, think you, is in it ? wine, cider, or beer ? 

Let us tuck it in here: 

Three vagabonds, we — 
A wise-hearted Queen of the vagabonds, she. 



80 ON IVIS'GS OF JOY 

We've roamed o'er the meadows, we've waded the 

stream, 
We've caught on our canvas the sun's golden gleam, 
We have seen from afar the fawn's twinkling feet 
Abound o'er the hills to a cool, safe retreat ; 
And darkness reigns over us, save that the night 
Has hung her wide chambers with lamps all alight ; 

We'll camp in their sight : 

Three vagabonds, we — 
And pure-hearted Queen of the vagabonds, she. 

The fields we've bro't with us, their texture and dye. 
And soon we'll hang o'er them this night-curtained sky ; 
First haste with swift fingers and open, I pray, 
The flask, noble Queen, you have carried all day ; 
We're thirsty from tramping, and needing its cheer, 
We'll drink your good health, yet, many a year ; 

Let us put it just here: 

Three vagabonds, we — 
A kind-hearted Queen of the vagabonds, she. 

(Garda speaks and we echo with reverent mien:) 

"The command of a friend you would gladly obey ! 
Show, too, you are kind in expressing a nay ! 
To satisfy thirst you would clear water bring! 
It flows Hke to crystal from yonder cool spring ! 
Ev'ry drop is a sphere transparent and white ! 
'Tis purity's emblem transmitting the light ! 

And are you not right?" 

Three vagabonds, we — 
How discerning a Queen of the vagabonds, she. 



y4ND OTHER POEMS 



The story goes on and each word is a pearl : 
"You knew over yonder a sweet, winsome girl? 
She wed with her lover, kind, handsome and gay ; 
Their home was all sunshine and sweet as the May ; 
They loved and they lived, and then the two died ; 
Two children in silence asleep by their side ;" 

Your meaning you hide: 

Three vagabonds, we — 
A canny-like Queen of the vagabonds, she. 

But Garda, our Queen, whence comes that deep sigh ? 
'Neath warm, fragrant grass all must sleep bye and bye. 
What is't you say ? "Wine and passion, mad steeds 
That hasten the rider to infamous deeds? 
A gentleman this, clever, tender and true, 
Till spirits inflamed and the reason o'erthrew," 

As spirits will do ; 

Three vagabonds, we — 
A plain-spoken Queen of the vagabonds, she. 

"These actors are gone, their tragedy's played ! 
Their record for time and eternity's made ; 
'Tis like unto legions the angel puts down. 
Of beggars, of workers, of men of renown. 
The heartbreak in life ! Wail of innocent's cry ! 
And the strong cross the way, and coldly pass by ; 

And the stricken ones die!" 

Three vagabonds, we — 
A sword-wielding Queen of the vagabonds, she. 



82 ON fVINGS OF JOY 

Garda ; Your weapon sinks e'en to the hilt ; 

What seekest thou yet? "Canst thou have what thou 

wilt?" 
"The wolf thou wouldst bind, tho' he roam in soft 

dress ; 
Each foe, tho' a liquid, in kindness suppress ; 
Tender-hearted, clear-brained, each man in the state. 
God-fearing and true, and the nation is great ! 

How long shall we wait?" 

Three vagabonds, we — 
Importunate Queen of the vagabonds, she. 

(Again Garda speaks, and trembling I hear:) 

"The wine-flask you've sealed and you proffer to me ! 

1 may take it, may break it, or so let it be !" 

God, how the hand trembles ! and how the head reels ! 
How cowardly faint the heart in me feels ! 
Not a muscle can move, nor command can the will ! 
God help me ! — Queen Garda shall keep the flask still ! 

I feel my heart thrill ! 

Three vagabonds, we — 
And thrice-blessed Queen of the vagabonds, she. 

We're home from the meadows, this canvas unrolled ; 

The picture is morning, in opal and gold ; 

The trees are astir and the hills are aglow ; 

The song-birds are making sweet music, I know. 

'Tis God-like in action, 'tis tender and true 

And Garda looks from it, — if only you knew — 

'Tis clear to my view : 

Three vagabonds, we — 
Forever the Queen of the vagabonds, she! 



AND OTHER POEMS 

f rance^ Willattx 

'Tis afternoon once more 

And the bright lake shimmers and dreams ; 
The white sand along its edge 

Alive with child mound-builders, seems 
A plain of long ago. 

The tall motionless, vine-wreathed trees — 
Their domes touching the clouds — 

Sentinel stand o'er all one sees. 

From white embowered tent 

Sweet notes of faith-winged hymn and prayer 
Rise and fall in cadence, 

Awakening the list'ning air. 
'Tis woman's hour of praise. 

Of heartfelt supplication grave; 
And she of gracious mien 

Is there, gentle and firm and brave. 

The refined brow is hfted, 

Her spirit breathes in quiet tone 
Complete consecration — 

Father and loving child alone, 
All other presence hushed — 

Resolutely she takes the hand 
Of all-sustaining Power: 

A woman beautiful she stands ! 



ON WIN as OF JOY 

For native land she wrought 

All in defensive armour clad — 
"The panoply of Love" — 

And mountain, plain, and valley glad 
Gave back a smile of love. 

Her footprints into blossoms rare — 
Emblems of purity — 

Sprang up — sweet lilies pure and fair. 



0ip JHo^e 

In far sunny Ind, where I strolled one day, 
I gathered a carbuncle rich and red ; 

I looked at the sun through the precious gem, 
And a bright burning coal I saw instead ; 

Then I chose the ruby from other shore ; 
Red-sapphire gem oriental. 

Of all precious things should I ask aught more? 

In garden with slope to the sunny south 

I gathered a violet-dark-red rose 

One morning in June, while glistened the dew 

Like profusion of gems on these, on those — 
The soft velvet petals, and leaves dark green — 

A rare dark rose from Eden blown 
Over paradise walls by breath unseen, 

I said to my rose, "Your blood hints of Life; 

You move ! Ah yes, and your breath tells me so : 
Your cheek to my own presses soft and warm 

Just where the sun kissed it awhile ago ; 



ASD OTHER POEMS 

The touch of his lips enhanced other grace 

And fragrance you lavishly yield, 
And a brighter tint on your robe I trace. 

"Luxurious rose, meant for full deep life, 
Your velvet and satin and bloom and glow, 

Your breath of perfume all given, by whom? 
The heart answers softly, 'I know,' I know'." 

My rose ! She is flower and woman too, 
A blessing for all intended ; 

And the high, and the low, from care to woe. 

My Radiant Rose ! She has jewelled mind. 

Love reigns in her eye and glows on the cheek. 

And her spirit is rare and her grace of mien; 
God gave her to me of Heaven to speak; 

His Word and His stars the lamps for her feet, 
Her heart to be Holy Temple, 

For the loving Lord it is cleansed, made meet. 

The rose and the woman ! Ah, who need sing 
Of gems that are precious, "which is the fair" ? 

"Or the rose, just kissed by the morning sun," 
"Or woman whose heart is a temple rare" 

"Or the glowing coal, the carbuncle bright" 
"Most brilliant gem, oriental" ! 

For, 'tis she who reflects Love's holy light ! 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

The Lord built a city, and gems are its walls. 

The Jasper and Beryl and Chrysolite 
And the gates are of costly, rarest pearl, 

In the midst of all the Lamb is the Light ; 
And roses, and lilies alternate grow 
For the crown of His creation; 
For the one whom the Master loves to know. 



TO NETTA 

There are palms, so numerous palms 

In the stately paradise home ; 
In single and in armies 

The delightsome expanse they roam ; 
Victorious palms and lordly, 

Tossing plumes in the upper blue, 
A glist'ning regal coronet. 

Proudly worn as rulers do. 

So num'rous palms the great King needs 
To bestow on those who love. 
Whose lives are on active service. 

And on those who stand and love, 
Patiently guarding the gates of truth 

With unflinching but tender hand; 
With face like a shining glory 

In disterins: robes who stand. 



AND OTHER POEMS 67 

May 24, 1895-1913 

I 

A cool, delicious morning in the Maytime of the year; 

The apple-blossoms pink and snow, and bird-songs 

sweet with cheer ; 
The dooryard and the tangled glen in vivid garments 

new; 
O'er all there trailed a silv'ry veil of pearly beads of 
dew. 

A fitting time, the angels thought, for baby eyes to ope, 
For earth was sweet and beautiful and clothed with 

newborn hope. 
They laid the tiny girlie in a soft and fragrant bed; 
Back to sky-land on a sunbeam in joy they swiftly sped. 

O sweetly precious girlie ! Coming in the blushing May, 
Thy work to bring the sunshine, scatter blossoms all 

the way 
From morning till the noontime, till the day of life is 

done, 
Weaving crowns of joy for others, until thy crown is 

won. 



88 ON WINGS OF JOY 

II 

1914 

Oh ! the years have come and gone, with their flowers 

of pink and snow, 
Hint of apple-blossom fragrance trails all the paths 

you go; 
In your rippling merry laughter the bird-notes ring out 

clear, 
The hymns of orchard songsters sounding in your 

gurgling cheer. 

O Mary, precious girlie! You are where the stream- 
lets meet 

To rush with mighty impulse in a river at your feet ; 

You stand, and dreaming, longing, look to trace its 
winding way 

Through the meadows of the morning, the burning 
fields of day, 

And Hfe's flowers all are opening their petals witching 
sweet, 

For you're at the mystic portal where girl and woman 
meet. 

And luscious fruit must follow the lovely apple-flower, 
And girlhood's simple graces mature to woman's power 
For Queenly ministration, with Love divine in tune ; 
Like to fragrant precious lilies, blossoming in June. 



AND OTHER POEMS 89 

^n €Icct 31 atip 

SUSANNA WESLEY 
BORN, LONDON, 1669; DIED, BRISTOL, I742 

Two centuries with measured stately tread 
Have joined the marching ranks of all the ages, 
Down the aisles of the storied past receding, 

Since first the flowers of thought enwreathed her 
brow, 
Forerunning golden fruitage and revealing 

A regal intellect enthroned ; till now 
Scarce thought in woman, lovely,clinging, 

Could be found — two hundred years and more 

Since first in London she those flowers wore. 

Clothed in the garments beautiful of truth 
And maiden graces, heaven-born and sweet. 
Strong, yet kindly, stood she for what was best 

In girlhood, as when wintry storms of life 
Beat round her; stood in calm, supremest rest, 

Patiently and with courage subduing strife ; 
Leading in higher thought with ordered zest. 

When sons to her in faith came with their need 

Deftly she ravelled tangled skeins of creed. 

O Priestess of Epworth ; still dost thou shine, 
A guiding star whose steady ray earth's daughters 
Well may follow ; securely poised in height 
The shifting years shall see it reigning far. 



90 ON WINGS OF JOY 

Two sons with thee in greatness and in might 
Of influence enthroned in honor are, 

Beck'ning the sons of men to Love and Light 
One taught redemptive grace in metered Hne 

Sweet lyrics sounding o'er the plains of earth 
In cumulative force, majestic, fine. 

And one, almost they counterpart was he, 

With logic keen uncovered sophistry. 

Taught men to hear the Spirit's pard'ning voice, 
Know His indwelling presence and rejoice. 



3Fn jHemotiam 

JOSEPHINE DYAR HOUGHTON 

Thy heart, dear friend, was a garden rare 
Yielding blossoms of beauty and grace ; 

Thy joy was to scatter the lilies fair 

That the perfume might sweeten the place 
And flow'rs of hope might blow. 

Horse turned almost fourscore and ten 
Her hortensial glass of golden sand 

'Neath the world's blue sky for thee ; and then 
Thy feet sped on to the better land, 
Love's loveliness to know. 

Thy skillful hand sketched the sweet goodbye ; 
And what but lilies fair could it be ? 
The blossoms pure 'gainst a bit of sky — 
Thy Mizpah, a thought of Christ, for me — 
"The lilies, how they grow." 



AND OTHER POEMS 91 

^ong of tlje #lti oBuarH 

BALDWIN UNIVERSITY CLASS OF 1859 
TO BALDWIN-WALLACE CLASS OF IQIQ 

'Tis Junetime; we're here with the Seniors and Band, 
We white-headed children from yesterday-land ; 
Our old Latin grammar and old "Rule of Three" 
Are with us in mem'ry, as snug as can be ; 
Brow lifted, we face serried foes, e'en the worst; 
(Don't know second fiddle; we're good in the first!) 
From old days we're come, keeping step with the new, 
For progress in knowing we ever pursue. 

According with Wisdom, our structure shall stay, 
The strong buttressed pillars shall never decay, 
For Wheeler and Tingley and Proctor sowed seeds 
Of oaks everlasting — enough for our needs. 
You, sons and blithe daughters, are coming along, 
With frills to your knowledge, with high-sounding 

song; 
You're welcome to thunder your pasans of yells ; 
Our hearts beat most truly to old chapel-bells. 

Our banners are flying; we're marching with vim; 
Our bugles are blowing the old college hymn, 
"For Rightness and Industry, Women and Men," 
Writ large in the mind with indelible pen. 
Our slogan we're sounding up all the bright way, 
It is "Justice set Free, Forever and Aye." 
Let skies be o'ershadowed, or golden with sun. 
That slogan shall sound till Right's battles are won ! 



ON IVINCS OF JOY 

3Fn tfje ^^re^ence of l^iagara 

By the height and the calmness led 

To seek a transcending view 
The watchtower lifted its head 

To the fields of calmest blue. 
And was kindled the flashing light 

Of a wonderful brilliant eye 
In the lantern poised on the height 

Of the tower that touched the sky. 

And it glimmered and shone far out 

O'er the seething furious wave 
That reared 'midst the rocks and lashed about 

In the echoes of wreck it gave. 
Still, afar shone its guiding ray 

Away out o'er the mighty deep 
Where in repose the billows lay 

As in calm and dreamless sleep. 



At morning dawn to the tower's height 

Earnestly mounted the watchman true ; 
Swiftly his keen and far-sent sight 

Swept the remote expanse of blue. 
And he thought of the mighty hand 

In whose hollow the sea lay still, 
The awful power of that command 

That built a water-wall at will. 

That always with roar and with sweep — 

In step with the marching of time 
The unmeasured volume, vast and deep, 



AND OTHER POEMS 

Moving in majesty sublime, 
Would descend the escarp with grace 

In a flow of dissolving gems, 
'Though swift the leap o'er the rocky face, 

E'en from brow to instep hems — 

The rainbows, the dash and the roar, 

A commingling of regnant power 
With beauty of color, and the soar 

Of the chant in its flight to the tower 
Was the winging of grace alone; 

Bearing from God's alembic, fine. 
Full measure of rhythmic might and tone 

Written on highest keynote line. 

In the watchman's thought the decree 

That the waters pass not the command ; 
That forever the mighty sea 

In obedient bounds should stand, 
Caused a silent and rev'rent poise. 

In presence of the Majesty 
Which stilleth the sweep and the noise 

Of the tumult of people and sea. 



Truth speaks f romx a watchtower high 

Calming tempest-tossed waves of fear ; 
Love shines, a warm and flashing eye 

From the summit of highest sphere, 
A Hght o'er surging billows wild 

Of human thought or angry sea, 
That no wreck of any trusting child 

In all His kingdom of light should be. 



94 ON WINGS OF JOY 

2Dcliberance anti Ci^anhiSf gibing 
I 

Christ was there, dear heart, on that rugged shore 
Where, angry, the wild sea rolled in its might, 
And o'er the deep blue sky, full-sailed and white, 
Clouds, like hurried ships, scudded on before. 
Till the wind dropped wing, and the mighty roar 
Grew faint and fainter, and the sunset light 
Was herald of fast on-coming of night, 
And storm fled our hearts and the rugged shore ; 
While tattered and torn the cloud-ships passed by. 
Then vanished — were lost in the deep blue sky — 
For Christ spake ; and was stilled the voice of fear ; 
Gone forever, despair ! and hope pressed near ! 
God's wing was our refuge, as on we sped 
To this fragrant marsh, by the salt sea fed. 

II 

Now the gray morning comes with rifts of light, 
Threads of rose and blue all under the gray, 
Spreading soft through the woof of break-of-day. 
There's hush in our hearts in this morning light. 
Christ's love is enfolding. His coming, bright, 
Transfigures the dark; 'tis glorified day! 
'Cross the marshes' beauty we wind our way ; 
With royal iris at left and at right. 
And 'tis June, dear heart, and the pale, wild rose 
With its subtle breath sweetens all the air; 



AND OTHER POEMS 



And all things are nestling, new life to bring. 
Onward, the river of joy overflows, 
Refreshing with hope, freeing thought from care. 
And grateful our paean of praise we sing. 



O burdened one, 
Put by your tears and sorrow ! 
Life dieth not ; put by your fears ! 
The Victor's voice rings down the years 

"Eternal Life. Eternal !" 
In the might of understanding rise 
And know 'tis yours, the precious prize, 

Eternal Life ! Eternal ! 

The Christ brings joy — 
Awake and freedom's pinions try! 
With Love and Power always nigh 
The triumph song fills all the sky, 
And lilies spring to kiss the feet 

And Christ is conqueror ! 
Twine roses sweet and sing of faith, 

And joy in its fruition ; 
The living Truth, the living Love 
Reigns here and now, below, above, 

Eternal Good ! Eternal ! 



96 ON V/INGS OF JOY 

€lje 5B»otD of ^eace 

I 

Ah, it was glorious, my heart, that day, 
When all the winds were let loose on the hill, 
And clouds the great sky-dome hastened to fill, 

To stand up wrathful, as in vengeful fray; 

Then, quick, serenely lighted with a ray 
Of sheen about their edges, in a frill, 
Bright, from the central sun on God's own hill ; 

For majestic Power ruled in love that day. 
Oh, in smoky-silver curtains, how the rain 

Swayed with the wind and flung its sheets of wet ! 
Its fury spent, the furrowed cheek of the hill 
It kissed ; and we knew, heart and I, again, 

When the wondrous bow in the clouds was set, 
That peace enfolded us, and all things, still. 

II 

Peace wraps the hill in mantle of soft light. 
'Tis kin to fragrance ; 'tis like unto rest 
Granted after turmoil in the long quest 

Of an anguished soul for heavenly light, 

When darkness flees and comes a radiance bright. 
Of all God's signs most beautiful and best, 
From distant east the bow spans to the west. 

And all the world's encompassed by His might. 
Benignly mirrored in the ordered rays 

From violet through the prism to the red. 
'Tis precious promise from unchanging Mind, 
Witness of Love's unf orgetting tender ways. 

"My Peace I give you," the great Master said. 
The serene light of peace — to all mankind. 



AND OTHER POEMS 
III 

"Oh, wondrous day, when tempests all had fled 
And over earth at first pale sunlight lay, 
Quiet forerunner of a brighter ray. 

And royal purple curtains wide were spread, 

Then veiled by mists of soft and shad'wy red. 
High circling over all, a shining way, 
A bow of solvent gems of every ray 

Of Hght and color from Love's hand had sped! 
And this not all, for on that day my shroud. 

Leather-darkness, fell heavy at my feet. 
At first, all seemed, to me, but softly bright; 
Then quick there was nor heaviness nor cloud, 

For Christ had spoken in His accents sweet 
And flashed the brightness of His coming — Light ! 



At foot of Olive's hill the Garden stays ; 

And in it stand the giant bronzed trees. 

Scarred and furrowed ; yet in the sunset breeze 
Their crowns of tender leaves glint in the rays 
That soon shall lose themselves in ev'ning's haze ; 

E'en now in homing flight the swallow sees 
Her own dark v/ing a shadow lay on these. 
Mayhap the bird has flown o'er distant ways. 

And 'neath the roof of leaves her quiet breast 
May glint in soft vv^hite comfort in the night. 

Above the mountain's brow appears a star ; 
To heart and mind comes consciousness of rest; 
And shadowed earth and purple tinted light 

Chord with the sacred notes in mem'ry's bar. 



98 ON WINGS OF JOY 

^t miW^ foot 

Here oftimes Jesus came with heavy heart, 

No friend a-near, 
To touch with quick'ning words the springs of life, 

To waken cheer. 
O cruel ! blind ! that mighty heart of love. 

Ineffable 
To grieve, and force its blood, compassionate. 

In agony 
To bead the brow ; in the dark, alone, in 

Gethsemane ; 
To weight Him down with the sins of the world, 

Him who loved thee ! 
Who underwent the thorns, the cross, the death — 

Bore all the griefs — 
Yet, He, thy Life, thy Lord, arose supreme ! 

O Life, O Love, ineffable ! 
No voice so sweet, so tender as Thine own — 

So compassionate 
It whispers now : "Come all ye weary ones, 

Ye heavy laden." 




Fair, like a maiden, Easter morn approaches 

Adorned in robe all 'broidered with pale flowers ; 
With soft rose-tint of hyacinth it blusheth, 

Or shimmereth in gold which early showers 
And the sunlight have brought the gay daffodil ; 
And shy pansies gather at the foot in frill : 

Like maiden cometh with joyous step and free, 
With accelerating pace she draweth near, 

And all about her an aureole we see — 
Rays from the star of Hope shining white and clear — 

Majestic singers come, joyous in her train, 
And answering back in echoes from the hills, 
"The Lord is Risen !" And the sacred anthem thrills ! 

With "Hosannah in the Llighest !" for refrain. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

■», 

The night was still in hush of silence holy, 
And hast'ning angels o'er the Syrian plain, 

In poise within the prescient quietude, 

Diffused their rosy blossoms like the rain 

That falleth softly on the waiting earth; 
And fragrant dawn came in on quiet wing. 

Awoke the sleeping earth with whispered thrills ; 
And kindled beauty, one with radiant Truth, 

A pictured anthem lay on all the hills ; 

All Nature sang: "The Christ is risen, King!" 
Light burst the bars ! Let men and angels sing ! 



Lift up, lift up your heads, ye lilies white and pure; 
Fit symbols of the Christ ye stately stand, and sure. 
His an exalted beauty and grace beyond compare ; 
And ye are beauty's blossom, O ye lilies fair ; 
His life an everflowing stream of sweetness rare; 
Your chalices of snow a precious fragrance bear. 
O lilies, in your whiteness glistening and pure, 
In bud, and growth, and flower, ye trust and ye adore. 



MND OTHER POEMS 

Mt free 

Over zones of the earth wide floors of snow 
And floors of knit fibers of gray-green sod. 
When lo, there arrives a wonder ! . . . . 
A breaking of windows, in Springtime mirth, 
In the floors of the sod and the snow, 
And daffodils prisoned no longer hide ; 
Cavalcades in their frills of gold out-ride, 
And the heart sings out: '"Tis the Eastertide!' 



€l)e %ittU 2Biue Moltt 

O little blue Violet, 
Growing at the feet of a giant beech, in a quiet place, 
Here thou waitest the sun's kiss 

When night yieldeth to the morn ! 
Thou freshness, breath of Spring and grace ! 

In thy being is a meaning finer yet ; 
Thou little Violet, laughing in the rain, 

So engaging one never can forget ; 
Thou art sunrise-song of sweetness, 

Thou art innocence — Love-born. 



ON IVINGS OF JOY 

€asftet 

We greet the Springtime morning fair, 
And list the cadence of her song, 

Enfolding what the heart holds dear, 
What to new life and hope belong ; 

Blue violets, dancing daffodils. 
About the happy footsteps throng. 

The Easter lily's chalice spills 

Her precious sweets; and robins sing 

And free their throats in double trills ; 
Joy wakes anew when wakes the Spring. 



Flown is the purple stillness of the night 

And speeds the dawn in robes of rose and light ; 

Sweet is the air. Love wakes the dormant flower, 

Fragrance and singing birds enrich the hour; 

Lilies of grace enlaureate the brow 

While loyal pledge we give, inspired vow, 

To Thee, the Christ enthroned, of friends the best, 

Hope blossoms and fruition warms the breast. 

Author of gladness, with Thy censer sweet 
Spilling life's essence in flowers at the feet 
Till the heart thrills at touch of Power divine 
And thrills again to know that touch is Thine. 
We joy that Thou, the Truth, hast always been 
The Living-Christ : The Kingdom Thine, within. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

^jBfcen^ion 2Dap 

*Twas a finished work, triumphant, 

That made the ascension day, 
When Jesus reached the last outpost 

Of that wondrous guiding way. 
"Father forgive them" had been spoken ; 

The crown of thorns been set ; 
His "lama sahacthani" wailed ; 

The prophecies been met, — 
For destroyed had been the "Temple" ; 

In three days again been raised. 
He had walked the path to Emmaus ; 

His disciples been amazed 
When they knew the Master risen, 

In the morning by the sea ; 
Where He blessed the bread and brake it 

On the shore of Galilee. 

He had taught them all the blessedness 

Of obeying His command ; 
On the right side they had cast their nets 

And abundance brought to land. 
And their understanding blossomed 

When He brake to them for food 
The inmost meaning of the Scriptures, 

The Spiritual good. 

He bade them go, to ev'ry Nation, 
Preach the gospel that makes free ; 

Promised greater things than He had done 
In works that yet should be ; 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

And to the band of followers 

Still near their Master's side 
The Holy Comforter He promised 

To send them — to abide — 
With uplifted hands He blessed them ; 

The clouds began to move 
And His earthly garment vanished ; 

He was folded round with Love. 

O'er the cross, the grave, all matter. 

He ascendency had won. 
Not a wrong was left to conquer ; 

His all-saving work was done ; 
And awesome glory shone o'er Olivet 

While the Father called the Son. 



'Tis the coming of His brightness 
Transfigures earth and me ; 

And the hush His glory bringeth 
Is sweetest symphony. 

For 'tis only scintillations 
Of love that kindle light, 

And 'tis always Love's outgoing 
Its fount keeps sweet and white. 

And 'tis singing at our service, 

In lowly paths divine. 
Life becomes a benediction 

Dear Christ, like unto Thine. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

Thou loving Christ, Thou Son of God, 

Thou Savior of mankind, 
Thy precious paths of other days 

Men hasten far to find; 
To roam the shores of Galilee; 

'Midst olive-trees to wind. 

How blue the sky ! how fair the flowers ! 

How sweet the atmosphere 
Where Thou did'st bid men come to Thee 

As little children dear; 
In trust and innocence to come, 

Thy footsteps follow, near. 

Dear Christ, Thou art now "lifted up ;" 
The heavens are full of Thee ! 

With burning hearts we know the Light 
That shone in Galilee ; 

The healing truth of "God with us" 
In gracious ministry. 

Thou loving Christ, to Thee we come, 

Thou Savior of mankind; 
Thy warmth enfolds ; Thy tender hands 

Unclasp the chains that bind; 
Thy precious paths are laid within ; 

They are not far to find. 



6 ON WINGS OF JOY 

Co ^. Vernon 

February 22, 1900 
Again the festal time is come, 

The gladdest of the year ! 
When skies are bright and hills are white 

And firesides warm with cheer. 
Thy natal day returns again, 

And music fills the air; 
For birds are gay as if 'twere May, 

A-wooing ev'rywhere. 

Within the modest wildwood buds, 

In shades of varied hue, 
Folded complete are flowers meet 

To crown the Spring anew ; 
And subtile come the harbingers 

Of nectar-laden June, 
And touch the air with fragrance rare, 

Like an old and favored tune. 

O, happy time to come to earth, 

When Hope mounts high and free ! 
With heart that's pure, strong to endure 

And face the yet-to-be. 
O, tall the stately palm lifts up 

Its branches to the sun. 
And spends its days in growing bays 

For him vv^ho nobly won ! 



AND OTHER POEMS 

(For your Birthday, 1902) 

The precious fragrant violet 
Tells of the Spring and thee ; 

Singing its song in forest shade — 
Exquisite, royal, free. 

In the quiet nooks of Nature, 
Where shade and scrag abound, 

And the thought of man is wanting. 
The violet is found. 

No flower in all God's kingdom 

Richer in dainty grace ; 
Touching the heart with tenderness 

From out its modest place. 

And ever this fragrant blossom 
The sad heart makes to sing ; 

Ever the message it sends forth 
A sacred joy doth bring. 



18 ON mNGS OF JOY 

feliruarp 22, 1904 

The birds are singing in the far Southland 

Where the orange-blossoms blow ; 
Tilting in the boughs of the myrtle tree, 

Where the great magnolias grow : 
And you are singing in the far Northland 

'Midst billowy fields of snow; 
And making the giant forest tree 

In golden robes to glow. 
Your magic brush makes Summerland, 

And the fairies come and go, 
And balmy zephyrs lift the leaves 

Where the fragrant beeches grow ; 
Your thought goes witching thro' the trees 

And smiles in a sunset glow. 
Ah — happy you! 



AND OTHER POEMS 

1912 

A little song for the Master, 

About things that are sweet to know, 
And spring from the true heart's center ; 

Like the flower-buds 'neath the snow, 
Packed full of color and fragrance, 

Only waiting the time to blow ; 
So, often the sweets of friendship 

Are hid away from outward show. 
Just a loving touch for sorrow, 

A smile for the face that is sad, 
A brave word kindling to action 

And making the soul of one glad. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

€o t&e i^a^ter of ^inti l^ill, 19X5 

Dear Master, with the searching heart, 

The sensitive appeal, 
The Mind that paints the bhish of morn 

Speaks in thee to reveal 
All that is strong and lifted-up, 

All grace that thou would'st feel. 

Thy deepest thought ? thy finest touch ? 

He whispers them to thee. 
The flame of beauty in thy soul 

That burneth to be free ? 
He kindles it with His own breath 

And fans it lovingly. 

The alchemist of Hfe He is 

And all the flow'rs of Spring 
In overflowing chalices 

To you their riches bring ; 
And birds have caught His sweetest notes 

And come to you and sing. 



AND OTHER POEMS 111 

fclimarp, 1918 

And thou comest to me! kind, gentle and swift 
In the far lone sky is a gleam, in a rift, 
A light that is hope and it singeth to me 
Of God who is Love and is Home, unto thee. 

And now far removed from your sensitive heart 
Are surges of grief and of pain the keen smart; 
Now no clouds intervene, your vision is clear, 
Love alone makes the wonderful atmosphere 
Where Truth and where Beauty enthroned are on high, 
Twin radiant suns, making luminous sky. 

Unswerving and ardent, you drew from above 
Perfect chords for your lyre, of Justice and Love ; 
Your forests are chanting in worshipful tone ; 
Your fields smile in dream-life where care is un- 
known ; 
Your sweetness of spirit and pureness of thought 
Are color and tone, in your lyric inwrought. 

Come oft to me, comrade, kind, gentle, and swift ; 
Mine eyes will reflect that far gleam in the rift, 
A joy that thou dwellest where beauty is rife 
And right is enthroned, in the kingdom of Life. 



2 ON WINGS OF JOY 

X9t9 

A sacred Voice in inmost self 
Spake wondrous words to thee ; 

Familiar, loving words of grace, 

Of immortality. 
That voice you heard amidst the trees 
And oft within your heart 

Felt ev'ning's calm and morning's breeze 

That Spirit's grace impart. 

Unfolding vistas grew more bright, 
Work's future safe to thee; 

Work fitting for thy conscious power 

Of growth eternally. 
Now satisfied, thy spirit thrills 
With blissful energy. 



ylND OTHER POEMS 11; 

€{)e J>oanng f ear^ef 

How shall I sing of the fleeting years? 

For me, from the fields of long ago, 
Up out of the mists of cruel fears 

They soared to far heights of Alpine snow; 
Out of range the view, the ether cold. 

The light and the blue, far, far away ! 
The lonesome longing may not be told; 

The search for a dearer, warmer day. 

Those heights became near and dear, with th' years! 

Faded and dim the sorrows of earth ! — 
Lost in the flooded valley of tears — 

And soul sang its hymn of glad new birth ; 
While on, and still on, the years soared high. 

In those wider, purer fields, the sun 
Had to itself all the space of sky. 

And effulgent warmth in the soul begun. 

No valleys, no warmth, no light of earth 

Could lure again to that lower plane; 
No bars, no limit, thought farther flung. 

The summit of highest peak to gain. 
The empyrean now, in sofest blue. 

Is closely folded about the heart; 
And this great wide beautiful place is home, 

Where the dearest friendships never part. 



4 ON WINGS OF JOY 

(A day with my brother James.) 
In the far-off long-ago 
There was a beautiful Christmas day, 
And the eyes are moist, and they softly say, 
"That wonderful long ago !" 

And the billows of white rolled far and wide, 
To horizon's rim that Christmastide, 

A marvel pure and fair. 
There was shout at dawn-break, "All is well !" 
And a cloud of great, warm snowflakes fell 

All day, through the silent air. 

And our hearts were filled with joy, 
There was fur-lined sleigh, as trim as could be, 
Quite ample enough for him and for me, 

And our hearts and all our joy. 

And it smoothly slipped along 
To the tune of the mellow sleighing bells, 
An echo of all the harmonic swells 

In the billowy way along. 

"A Merry Christmas !" "Merry !" 
Said the music, the snow and our hearts in tune. 
With as loving a lilt as birds in June; 
"A dear old Christmas !" "Merry !" 

Night came in that long-ago. 
And brightly the Holly enwreathed the wall. 
Witching and merry the Mistletoe's call. 

That evening long ago. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

The Mistletoe bough hung high! 
Its enchanting spell bro't roses sweet 
To the cheeks of the maid with graces meet 

For the stately minuet; 
And glee notes rang thro' the festive hall — 
The notes of the merry Mistletoe's call — 
For the Mistletoe hung high, 

And the Holly enwreathed the wall. 

Merry Christmas on the wing ! 
For like birds came the flight of the years, 
Swiftly, surely, with joys and with tears ; 

Christmas joys on peaceful wing! 

Our trim Httle sleigh we had ; 
We slipped from the hollows to hilltops fair, 
Each hand in each, and were ever aware 

Of wealth in the other we had. 

For we knew the Christmas King! 
He was Love, the Ruler, in heart of each, 
And trust and peace He reigned to teach ; 

The tender Christmas King ! 

Today, as in long ago. 
Sweet bells, of the fifty jewelled years, 
Ring clear, and the eyes are soft with tears. 

For now, and for long ago. 
That wonderful peace Christ brings to men 
Is a benediction, now as then; 

And the Mistletoe bough hangs high ! 

Still high the Christmas Holly ! 



'Blessed are those servants, zvhom the Lord when he 
Cometh shall find watching." 

J^torning ^raper-Cftri^tma^ Dap 

Father, I would be among the blessed 
Who stand list'ning for the lightest footfall, 
For the gentle knocking of the Master, 
Girded and waiting through the night watches. 
My lamp alight for the feet of any 
Wayfarer belated in the marshes. 
Serving, I would open the heart's portals 
For the entrance of Him who giveth light ; 
Who cometh bearing the cup of healing 
And maketh me to sit at meat with Him. 



AND OTHER POEMS 



Jamilxar— 2Dear 

God sent us not a strange New Year ; 

It came familiar, ermine-clad, 
Or bearing palms and roses glad. 

For world-wide folks, a world-wide cheer- 
Pan's pipes a-flute, and bells rang clear; 

With jollity and welcome mad. 
It came a sturdy hope-filled lad, 

Reliant, strong, and full of cheer, 
And climbed to zenith. Now it wanes. 

And Christmas festival is here ; 
Each heart at home with well known things ; 

For Love, the King familiar, reigns. 
He crowns with joy the speeding year; 

To each His wealth of peace He brings. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 



Softly the spheres of the universe turn 
Bringing to dimax the glorious year, 
And good-will abounds and the Christ is here ; 
Each heart a censer sweet incense to burn — 
Incense of love for which all alike, yearn. 
For high, and for low, a chalice of cheer 
Pours out the rich gift that crowneth the year- 
Censer and chalice each pour in its turn. 
Oh, beautiful Night ; on Judah's far plain, 
Resplendent in robes of purple and light. 
And vibrant with joy when the Heralds sung, 
To all open hearts, Christ cometh again, 

And always 'tis sunburst of Christmas light 
When love is serving and the peace-hymn sung. 



j4ND other poems 



O Christmas, blessed Christmas! thy joys have come 
to stay; 

The hand of Christ hath swept the harp of mortal mind 
to-day. 

The vibrant melody it makes accords with David's song 

When on his harp he played for Saul, who rose re- 
freshed and strong, 

And loved the lad and song divine of healing ministry. 

A harp redeemed, alone, can hymn that sweetest 
melody, 

The New Song, onward flowing as a thousand rivers 
run; 

The Christmas song of ages, in the heart by Christ 
begun. 



With their lighted candles watchmen happy stand ; 
"The Bright and Morning Star" shines over all the 

land, 
And bondage disappears, blindness and the night — 
Lo, the dwelling of God's children is "The Light !" 
Rejoice and shine, ye children, all enf olden 
In the glory of the Father, warm and golden. 
Gladness is sown for all, and light supernal ; 
Christ reigns — Immanuel ! our Life Eternal ! 



ON WINGS OF JOY 



Always, ere the old year passes, 
Earth puts on her robe of snow ; 

And we list for angel voices 
Out of clouds that swiftly go — 

Silver clouds athwart the heavens 
Out of which the wind doth blow. 

All the air is full of music, 

Voices singing, "Christ is here !" 

Organ-voices, flutings tender, 
Cymbals and the harp, so dear, 

Make of Christ-day one glad anthem 
Ere the going of the year. 

Sweetness, light, and love-rich blessing, 
Christ, the Truth, in heart and head, 

All-pervading, quick'ning, reigning. 
See ! by Him the hosts are sped ; 

Little children, forward hast'ning, 
By the King eternal led. 



AND OTHER POEMS 



Sometimes an arrest holds in leash the thought 
And Truth's golden ray in a gleam is caught, 
And we touch the skirts with an awesome grace 

While the hushed heart throbs in a cadence low ; 

Then large grows our concept ; The dawn's aglow ! 
We vision a glory longed for, and sought — 
The coming of Christ with the sunrise fraught. 

So, out of the far fields, vast and bright, 
A-gleam with the star-glow of Christmas light, 
Thrills the Word compassionate, sweet and low, 
For prophet and shepherd and Christ are met ; 
A waiting world's lashes with joy are wet. 
For grace is poured out — frankincense and myrrh 
In love the Most High overshadows her. 



Oh ! Rich and full, the golden Christmas bells — 
And thought flies far to where the olive grows, 
To poppy fields and wheat, to scraggy fells, 
To Galilee, to Hermon in his snows. 
There's glory in the sky, the paean swells, 
Christ comes in lowly robe ; Love lifts Him high. 
"The precious One ! Redeemer !" sing the bells — 
And to the waiting heart He cometh nigh. 



ON IVINGS OF JOY 

In the land of oleanders, 

Sweet acacia, waving reed, 
On the slopes of snow-crowned Shasta, 

In all lands, whate'er the creed, 
Dawns the Christmas day triumphant; 

Flow'ring of the Truth's own seed. 

When is come the moment precious 
That to some heart Christ is born, 

Come in royal beauty's freshness 
As the lily to adorn 

With His affluence most gracious, 
Then 'tis Holy Christmas morn. 



Lo ! in wide fields of heavenly blue the Christ-star rides 
on high ; 

Light cannot fail, since Truth illumes the all-un- 
bounded sky, 

Its radiance a guide most sure through ev'ry tangled 
way. 

While Love, with Light, brings forth the rose to glad 
each new-born day. 

O holy Light ! O precious Truth ! Unfold and bear us 
high 

Above all fear, in joy and strength, o'erarched by lofty 
sky. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

Sweet bells of all the jeweled years 
Ring clear with joy and soft with tears 

E'en now, as long ago ; 
That vital peace Christ brought to men 
Is benediction now as then — 

Chimes wing it 'cross the snow — 
The Shepherd guards His flock at night, 
Make glad the home with Christmas light — 

With rose and mistletoe ! 



O still and waiting Christmas eve, the heralds fill the 

sky; 
With silver notes their trumpets sing, Glory to God on 

High! 
O heart of man, awake and know the Christ, our King 

is here ; 
He reigns in stillness all supreme, and sorrows disap- 
pear. 
The moors that stretched far on and on, in robes of 

somber gray, 
Are sweet with heather-bells in pink, 'neath Love's 

transforming ray; 
And grateful hearts and heralds sing of His redeeming 

light: 
He lifts the veil, dispels the mist, and lo, there is no 

night ! 



ON WINGS OF JOY 



i9xa 

The Christmas dawns in splendor East and West, 
Though many in dark purple robes be drest, 
For in the pain of heartbreak Christ is near 
To whisper courage in the list'ning ear ; 
And over all that is, or e'er shall be, 
Watcheth omniscient Love eternally ; 
So, twine we wreaths of precious immortelles. 
And hear the song of peace in Christmas bells. 



1917 

Watch not, nor wait for dawn ; 'tis always near. 
And dawn of peace unfolds her colors clear. 
Supreme in justice: in majestic praise, 
The world, set free, its song of joy shall raise. 



AND OTHER POEMS 



19X8 

Dear Friends, my ship is still sailing, 
Still out o'er the ocean wide; 

Her cargo does not seem heavy, 
Her colors fly as we glide. 

All the rocks and the furious gales 
Long ago were met and passed, 

Plots of wreckage sunk 'neath the waves, 
My colors flew from the mast. 

No craft o'er the ocean sailing 

Could venture to train a gun 
On a captain fol'wing orders 

Of Him who has always won. 

And glories flash in the dawnings, 

'Tis wonderful voyage now. 
For the buoyant waves are laughing, 

Cooling breezes soothe the brow. 

I am in the Flying Squadron, 

Fast speeding this Christmas Day, 

With a wreath of lasting Friendship 
I wish at your feet to lay. 



126 ON WINGS OF JOY 

Author of life, or near, or far, 
Whose radiance beameth in the star, 
And o'er the ocean and the stream ; 
Whose spirit shineth in the gleam: 
We feel Thee in our heart elate. 
In pensive mood in ev'ry state, 
Our springing thought to regulate. 

The glorious ingathered fruits 

Of Autumn, from the springtime roots, 

In wealth of gold and crimson glow, 

In all -pervasive, radiant flow. 

And loveliness of beauty's beam 

On forest floor and valley stream, 

Of Thy effulgence is the gleam. 

From Winter's sleep, from blushing rose. 
From ev'ry bloom and fruit that grows, 
The Autumn plucks a fragrance sweet. 
Its censer's richness to complete ; 
Home gardens and the prairie blest 
By incense from this yearly quest; 
And dreams swarm in poetic mist. 

We cannot curb our joy in Thee, 

For in so glad eternity 

Of beauty, flashing ever new. 

In nightly star and fresh'ning dew. 

In vernal bloom and summer sun. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

And hallowed hour when day is done, 
Most precious art Thou, and most near. 

And in our dreams, by day or night, 
Thou sendest messengers of light 
To chide us when rebuke is best, 
To wake the heart to burning zest 
In search of Wisdom's precious gold, 
Whose very nearness doth unfold 
When trustful fellowship we hold. 

All sweetness of each restful heart 
Is of Thy love a very part. 
All help bestowed on direst need 
Is flower from Compassion's seed 
Dropt in our heart from Thine own Hand 
And ev'ry grace, at Thy command. 
Awaits Thine own, in ev'ry land. 



-^^r' \ 




l^anette 

Straying far in the beautiful Southland, 
Where the magnolia and the myrtle grow. 
And the Cherokee roses climb and cling 
To the fatherly trunks in affection, 
Nanette lifted her eyes in seaward gaze; 
In the hour when the wide constant twilight 
Speaks of infinite things to the dreamer. 

I was leisurely walking on the shore, 

And paused to greet this lone dark-eyed stranger. 

She had come from a magic land of hills 

About whose feet each day spread shadows 

And covered the crowns with mystic veiling. 

She had loved the hills and moist tangled dells 

Whose cool fern and flowers made haunts for fairies, 

And where she often sought to be with them. 

Her feet and song attuned to a glad rhythm 

Under the rose of dawn flushing the glen, 

While the song of the morning thrush echoed 

An ecstasy, and soft- footed rabbits 

Browsed the dew-wet herbage, leaping to fit 

Places to wait awhile and return thanks. 



AND OTHER POEMS 129 

This bit of Nature where her heart told her 
Something joyous lived, like fairies waiting 
To dance with her, or to perch near and sing. 
Was "Glory" to her lonely orphaned heart. 

Wary-eyes, gray-faced and old, said not true. 

Her birthing was not in the brown-bark house 

'Midst the sycamore trees in the foot-hills; 

Not from her did she spring into being. 

So she sang, on and on, almost in dream; 

And I, list'ning, felt a strange warmth flowing 

From her heart to mine, in touching appeal. 

And she told with an infinite pathos 

How Winchester, lover of truthtelling 

Pointed to the night sky, where the stars shone, 

And his words sang like the river hast'ning 

To thirsty lands with refreshing water. 

The Great Spirit dwelt there in the brightness; 

The stars were His thoughts, and the white moonlight 

His smile ; and the thorn-tangles and high rocks 

Were lost under the gleam of the shining. 

Winchester was wonderful when his eyes 

Looked into hers and his soul said, "Nanette, 

I love you." Wary-eyes, so gray and old, 

Could not fold his Nanette to her bosom 

And say : "My child, with eyes of the wild doe, 

Forever you'll fetch me the oak branches 

To make coals ; and dewberries for supper. 

When a wee smiling nursling she stole you." 



130 ON IVINGS OF JOY 

Next, taking her hand, they ran to the Glen ; 

And the redbird sang like a golden flute 

While they found the basin the little stream 

Leaped sparkling from between the rocks to fill. 

Tall ferns unlocked their arms for them to pass ; 

The sun found op'nings behind them, and they 

Saw their shadows, hand in hand, on the face 

Of the blue water — still, glassy mirror — 

And the songbird on a tall f eath'ry plume 

Swaying, singing a bar of melody, 

Caught in its flight from the azure above, 

Also was pictured on the blue water. 

Then it was that Winchester folded 

Her to himself, and they felt they were one. 

With swift feet they sought the hill that rose high 

"Above the treetops, and touching the sky ; 

There the pastor lived, close up to heaven." 

They gave the promise, in the solemn words 

*T will," each to each, and felt the sacred 

Touch of the good man's hands when he blessed them. 

They went forth and the world was beautiful ! 
And sweet the evening carol of the lark ! 
And each heart sang its joy to the other, 
As the flowers and fern sang when the sun set. 

"Nanette." said the husband, "all this glory 
Is ours" — for Winchester's ear heard the voice 
Of the Great Spirit, in the twilight hour, 
Often. And they hast'ned on o'er the hills, 



^ND OTHER POEMS 



Far and away, and slept in "a shelter" 

In the Valley. "These were God's days and ours." 

Then followed the prairie-years, with far views, 
And the tall rustling corn in sun-kist plumes ; 
A most sweet place of refuge, for the world 
Was not there; only swaying harps of leaves — 
The corn leaves, soft green with crimson tintings- 
Making murmur-melody all sweetly, 
Akin to spirit voices caroling. 
Divine was that dwelling — home for the soul! 

But joy and peace put on marching armor; 
Fires swept over the prairie and they fled — 
The flames swiftly pursuing their footsteps — 
Winchester bearing high on his shoulder 
Their little son, born 'midst the corn gardens; 
For always the great expanse of billows 
Was like stretches of garden and home. 

But the fire-wind roared, and the ripe corn burned; 

The flame swept the face of the little one 

And scorched it ; and, "Ah ! God, drank up his breath. 

Their steps took on the spirit of motion 

And their flight became swift, like the eagle's. 

At last they were beyond the blessed bar of oak trees, 

Where they sat down and lifted up their woe 

In a great silence of desolation. 

They made him a soft bed of cool oak leaves; 

"Covered him deep from the sorrows of earth." 



132 ON WINGS OF JOY 

"The face of my husband was shadow; 
He had no voice, 'twas locked in a silence ; 
He had no motion, was still and heavy; 
Gave no heed to my voice — and he loved song ; 
I took his hand — no return of pressure, 
Then I cried to heaven ; 'O God, art thou fled ?' 
My voice was full of the roar of the fire; 
It blazed to the top of the Universe. 

"Then came an interval of Eternity. 
Spirit was no longer housed in body, 
But was carried in arms of sweet soothing. 
And I heard the Shepherd's flute a-fluting;, 
'Rest thee, I'll never leave nor forsake thee;' 
And I begged, with oh! such glad assurance, 
'Speak to Winchester, that he move forward;' 
And the voice of the Shepherd touched me like 
Music, but without words. Then I looked up 
And the eyes of my husband were open; 
And he stretched his arms to me, and we wept." 

While list'ning, her experience became mine. 
Her tragedy, crowded with blazing glory, 
Forced a rift in the mist-clouds surrounding 
Eternal verities ; verities at our right hand — 
The nearness of the All-Power and All-Love. 
I took Nanette's hand, looked into her eyes, 
Beautiful and dew-wet with memories; 
My heart and hers knit together as one. 

Presently she said : "We must not linger." 



AND OTHER POEMS 1. 

They turned their steps away from the oak-lined 

Bed of their son; from the oncoming waves 

Of incense — breath from the devastated 

Cornfields. 

A wandering farm lad found them 

And led the way to a homestead and food. 

Soon they found their way to a great city. 

"Ah! but that w^as desolate — Great City! 

No two hearts seemed to beat in unison." 

They found labor. Spent the evenings in school 

Where a '"'sweet-faced Deaconess" gave them lessons 

Out of the "precious Bible" she gave them. 

And, yet, their sky was filled with darksome clouds ; 
They remembered not the bright sunny days 
Of the prairie ; wrecked hopes were too vivid. 

In time her heart stirred with a fearsome joy; 
Then once again her arms were contented. 
Soon the little daughter learned to open 
Her eyes wide, and look smiling into theirs. 
They called her Blossom, and they adored her. 
She learned to prattle, and to speak to them, 
And to chase the pale August butterflies. 

"One day the demon-fire roared through our street. 

A great wall fell ; a bit of timber flew ! 

And our Blossom, our Beautiful, fell crushed. 

Winchester helped me and I gathered her 

Into the skirt of my gown and stood still ; 



134 ON WINGS OF JOY 

And an angel came, 'twas the Deaconess. 

While her heart of Pity looked from her eyes 

She had no voice for words, but pressed our hands, 

Cared for us ; covered the grave with lilies ; 

But the Christ seemed far oft', the heavens smoke, 

'Though that angel, in her little bonnet 

With its white ties, said : "Lo ! I am with you." ' 

Marvel not, but that noisy city was 
Desolate as the grave to these two souls. 
Neither of them had a voice while they ran, 
Yes, ran from that great desolate city. 
Pathos thrilled in Nanette's voice, when she said ; 
"Alas ! We were blind and deaf and knew not 
That the Shepherd had not forsaken us — 
That while we stumbled on, His eye kept watch." 

They roamed on, ever on, from State to State ; 

Earning a little, now here and now there — 

Winchester's soul was proud and would only 

Use what the sweat of his brow brought to him — 

But there was no longer joy in the world, 

The earth and the heavens brought forth smoke and 

fire. 
But the weary feet loved to tread forest 
Paths, and feel the caress of soft, cool mosses. 
And when Winchester's steps commenced to lag 
She urged forward. Once amongst the wild hills 
Of Tennessee they spent days in a hut 
That hewers of walnut had left standing. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

"One night I sat me down and wept for joy; 
It was so like home to have trees and flowers 
And birds all about us, in the silence ; 
And a beautiful fawn and its mother 
Were so unafraid and came near to me 
That my heart gave one glad leap that I was 
Still worthy to be one with God's wild things." 

But contentment was far from her husband, 

So, after helping some workers hew out 

Great walnut knots to be shipped across seas 

And appear in beautiful "veneering," 

They took up, for her, their sorrowful march 

And came into this sunkist flower-state. 

And on to these shores where the palms grow tall. 

The murmuring sea waves soothed Winchester, 

And they began learning how to care for 

Oranges — for a noble family — 

"Till fire overtook us again, this time 

Fire trailing through the veins of my husband ; 

The flames filling his mind with a roaring. 

From the cornfields, shot up great spires of fire, 

Again seized the child folded in his arms. 

His imaginings raged with the fever. 

Oh ! I know how Winchester never ceased 

To mourn the first-born child given to us 

In the beautiful prairie corn-gardens. 

And I wept him ; but smiled when I thought of our 

Blossom, the lilies and the Deaconess. 



136 ON WINGS OF JOY 

"At last the fury was spent, and he had 
The Httle son on his knee, and a flame 
Of glory lit his face and he shouted 

'The burnished leaves glisten ; the corn is ripe.' 
Then, followed a silence that was comfort 
To my soul ; I said : 'O, at last he rests !' " 

Now, I drew to the side of this woman, 

Saying : "Flee the sad scenes, wing the free air." 

She turned to me a strong, revealing face 

From which, at that moment, a spiritual 

Smile — light from a joyous intelligence — 

Shone ; telling me she had found her own home. 

It was no longer in the wooded glen 

Of material beauty and repose, 

But was in the undying fertile fields 

Of God's own Kingdom — "The Kingdom within" — 

Of which the Christ is the unremitting 

Serene Light — sweetly comfort-sustaining. 

Humbly, I asked, "Nanette, show me the way; 
By what ladder you climbed to the high heights ?" 

"Ah!" she said, "I went into the desert 
Alone, to pray. The sky was full of clouds; 
No moon, but I wandered in the night-time 
Down to these palms, and the sea was booming. 
The great waves climbed; the spray spilled on the 
strand, 



^ND OTHER POEMS 

And I stood near, to feel its salt lashings, 

Till I cried, *Oh ! God, Thou are not in this ; 

I can never find Thee in confusion ; 

My heart is weary and worn, I'm undone ! 

I must trust Thee! Where is the way of Peace!' 

And the Christ spoke to me, sweetly, plainly ; 

T am with you alway ;' 'Come near and rest.' 

Then I knew that though I had deserted 

He followed. 

I came to know the Shepherd not only 

Follows, He bends o'er us, is within us — 

'Nearer than hands or feet' — is very Life." 

She sat down beneath these high spreading tops, 
Realized Divine Love encompassed her ; 
That all the strength and wisdom she needed 
Awaited her. She put her hand in His. 

"Months have passed, I learn slowly, but I know 

That I can never be separated 

From Christ — from serene joy — God is Life." 

The next evening, at the sun's going down, 

I sought her again on the quiet shore. 

Her face was strong; illumined with resolve 

Whose roots sprang from a glad consecration 

To the teaching, and enfolding in arms 

Of comfort, those who are alone, tenting 

On a field of despair, o'erarched with night. 



138 ON WINGS OF JOY 

At our side the deep ocean, concealing 
Its own vast secrets of self-containment, 
Stretched wide and far ; linking to unknown shores : 
Its waves a harp whose liquid notes sang sweet. 
We strolled beneath the palms. The ocean harp 
Sung o'er and o'er its beautiful "God-speed." 

We strayed farther inland ; faces of flowers 
A-blush with the sunset-kiss sweetly smiled. 
The air was a purple mist of sweet scent. 
Where the hundreds of heliotrope blossoms 
In stately mystery roamed at our feet. 
The sunset sails of purple beckoned her 
To fields over which floats the heavy mists 
That will dissolve, revealing flowers and fruits 
Everlasting. While her hand shall scatter 
The seed, the dews from her garnered sweetness 
Shall water and give color to the growth. 

Nanette came into my life a surprise, 
And remains a beautiful influence. 



AND OTHER POEA4S 

The Cross, the Lilies, the Roses ! 
Ah, these the whole scheme discloses 
In gleaming letters, engraven 
In the secret place in my heart. 

To bend 'neath the weight of sorrow, 
All through to-day and to-morrow ; 
To feel all forsaken and lone 
Standing still and facing the Cross. 

Then summon the armor God-given, 
In which noble souls have striven, 
And breastplate of righteousness wear 
And the gleaming sword of the Spirit. 

On the highest height stands the Cross, 
On its wide-stretching arms embossed 
"Full glory is Hfe sacrificial," 
Highest mission healing of sorrow. 

The message how sweet and tender ! 
"Of the weak be strong defender." 
So Christ's Cross stands up 'gainst the sky 
Its radiant mission proclaiming. 

Where rays from that life-giving Light 
Illume hearts in the midst of night, 
Spring purity's flowers of lilies 
In red soil of sacrifice rooted. 



ON WINGS OF JOY 

And roses whose chalices hold 
Aroma more precious than gold; 
The blush on their petals of velvet 
A reflection of radiant Hfe. 

These flowers, the Hlies and roses, 
The book of the ages discloses. 
Spring in profusion and sweetness 
Where the dews of sacrifice fall. 

Bitter tears, from pain and from loss ; 
Sweet triumph through bearing the Cross ; 
Then cometh grace, like the lilies, 
And strength, like the joy in the roses. 



AND OTHER POEMS 

gfmmetiiate ^ercejjtion 

Fast fleets the hour, the time draws near 

When ev'ning shadows fall ; 
When garments of the night shall trail 

In silence over all, 
And waiting Nature lift her song 

In Gothic temples fair, 
Whose leafy arches tow'ring high 

Touch broader fields of air. 

All flowers from hilltop and from vale 

Are in the melting gray 
Of curtains folding softly o'er 

The gates of closing day. 
Dark comes apace, expectancy 

Enlisteth all below, 
Exhaustless ether spills its sweets 

In affluence of flow ; 
In crimson sun full-orbed with awe. 

In always pulsing sea, 
In mystic calm of fields of space, 

Man feels Eternity. 

The gracious, mighty sea expands 

A wide, upholding breast, 
And gathers all its leaping waves 

In one vast plain of rest ; 
The sparkling lights of sunshine hours 

Are now a flowing gem, 



ON IVINGS OF JOY 

An emerald-sapphire broadly flung 
From priceless diadem. 

A full and quiet beauty thrills 

The soul, with proof sublime 
Of One whose heart, and mind, and might, 

Knows neither bound nor time, 
But holds the stars in loving Hand 

And f oldeth man in Light — 
The Holy City's glowing day 

That never knoweth night. 

In rhythmic pulsing in the West, 

The sun, in majesty 
Of burning crimson, flaming gold, 

Proclaims, "Eternity!" 
Then drops behind that jewelled wave 

Of emerald-sapphire sea. 
And in the heart that Word divine 

Seals, Immortality. 



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